In the fullness of time -- NOW -- the promise of God in Christ came as told before by the prophets, and He came to receive a people --“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (I Peter 2:10)
"Even so when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world, BUT when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son made of a woman, made under the Law TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians 4:1-6)
"And this I say, that the covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after cannot disannul that it should make the promise of none effect ... for if the inheritance be of the Law, it is no more of promise but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the Law? It was added because of transgressions -- till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made, and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not [a mediator of] one, but God is One." (Galatians 3:17-20)
Is the Law then against the promises of God? Of course not. What this apostle was writing was that we also need to recognize (and understand) is that if there had been a Law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have (and would have) been by the Law.
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Rightly, as the scriptures also declare, before faith came we were kept under the law -- shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed.
"Wherefore the Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But [again] after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster for ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ ... and if ye be Christ's then are ye Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 4:16-29)
The prophesied promise that is God in Christ. The mystery that was held in the bosom of the Father from the beginning of the world, come forth so that we -- because of His kindness and love could be reconciled once again unto Him. In other words, God Himself became our Saviour, reconciling the world unto Himself.
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life ... for the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:22-23)
Thus, we are no longer children in bondage under the elements of the world. Rather, we are redeemed by the precious blood He shed on the cross that we might receive the adoption of sons, and because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts crying, "Abba, Father." (Galatians 4:1-6)
Sadly, however, there are those who don't want you to believe that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves -- it is a gift of God. Not of works lest any should boast. This may explain why Paul includes his interaction with Peter who would heartily eat with the Gentiles but then withdraw and separate himself when those of the circumcision -- the Jews -- would come along. Read the encounter below for yourself. Then stand in the offering plate with God our Saviour who loved His beloved creation so much that He Himself came into this world to bring His gift of salvation!
"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I SAW THAT THEY WALKED NOT UPRIGHTLY ACCORDING TO THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL, I said unto Peter before them all, "If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?"
We who are Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
We who are Jews by nature and not sinners of the Gentiles, knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the Law, for by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor -- for I, through the Law, that might live unto God.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:11-21)
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