"The Law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster ... for ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:24-29)
Why is this important? Because the promised Christ prophesied from afore hath now redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written -- "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13) The Christ of God paid the ultimate price because He shed His precious holy blood for you and I on a cross whilst we were still His enemies.
Further, from the old we know that a purchase had to be made but as the Holy Ghost also signified, entering into the holiest of all could not yet be made manifest as long as the first (old covenant) remained standing. (Hebrews 9:8) Thus, the Lord had to bring forth a "new thing" in this current dispensation of grace. That is, God prepared for Himself a body, having taken on sin-prone flesh and yet without sin, so that we might have salvation. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6)
The dayspring from on high hath visited us. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
But because He paid the ultimate price on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all, we willingly behold His glory (the only begotten of the Father) who willingly took our transgressions upon Himself. The greatest love story ever told -- behold, the volume of the book is written of Me! And, as a consequence of His love and kindness for His beloved people, God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) In so doing, He gave us a new name -- the Name of JESUS -- which is the only Name whereby we must be saved in this current time. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
Thus, when we fully understand the doctrine of Christ, we have both the Father and the Son -- the Holy Ghost in our hearts. (II John 1:9; Acts 2:36-47) But I digress.
It is this willingness to return to the Law that is the point being made today, rather than accept God's gift of salvation. So, Paul continues to admonish the Galatians, saying, -- "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be yet] in vain. He therefore that ministered to you in the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [doeth He it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to Him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of the faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:1-8)
But some today have taken Paul's instruction to be contrary to Jesus own words, when Jesus told the Pharisees, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, "That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-20)
Why is this important? Because the promised Christ prophesied from afore hath now redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written -- "Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree." (Galatians 3:13) The Christ of God paid the ultimate price because He shed His precious holy blood for you and I on a cross whilst we were still His enemies.
Further, from the old we know that a purchase had to be made but as the Holy Ghost also signified, entering into the holiest of all could not yet be made manifest as long as the first (old covenant) remained standing. (Hebrews 9:8) Thus, the Lord had to bring forth a "new thing" in this current dispensation of grace. That is, God prepared for Himself a body, having taken on sin-prone flesh and yet without sin, so that we might have salvation. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 9:6)
The dayspring from on high hath visited us. "He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not." (John 1:10-11)
But because He paid the ultimate price on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven once and for all, we willingly behold His glory (the only begotten of the Father) who willingly took our transgressions upon Himself. The greatest love story ever told -- behold, the volume of the book is written of Me! And, as a consequence of His love and kindness for His beloved people, God became our Saviour. (Titus 3:4-7) In so doing, He gave us a new name -- the Name of JESUS -- which is the only Name whereby we must be saved in this current time. (Matthew 1:21-23; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
Thus, when we fully understand the doctrine of Christ, we have both the Father and the Son -- the Holy Ghost in our hearts. (II John 1:9; Acts 2:36-47) But I digress.
It is this willingness to return to the Law that is the point being made today, rather than accept God's gift of salvation. So, Paul continues to admonish the Galatians, saying, -- "Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if [it be yet] in vain. He therefore that ministered to you in the Spirit, and works miracles among you, [doeth He it] by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to Him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of the faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, "In thee shall all nations be blessed." (Galatians 3:1-8)
But some today have taken Paul's instruction to be contrary to Jesus own words, when Jesus told the Pharisees, "Think not that I am come to destroy the Law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, "That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:17-20)
The key to understanding is that Jesus came to "fulfill" the Law. He satisfied the Law of the old, and in the new testament, in which He Himself is the mediator, has written His laws on the tablets of our hearts. Jesus through the Holy Ghost giving commandments to the apostles whom He has chosen so that we do not again turn to the weak and beggarly elements, where unto ye desire again to be in bondage. (Acts 1:2; Galatians 4:9)
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days," saith the LORD, "I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jeremiah 31:20, 33)
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart, and such trust have we through Christ to Godward; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who hath made us able ..." (II Corinthians 3:1-6)
There is much more to understand from the book of Galatians so please take the time to study Paul's writings here because these are instructive and necessary to fully understand that if "ye be led of the Spirit, ye are NOT under the Law." (Galatians 5:18)
And also, from Paul's similar instruction to the saints and churches in Corinth:
"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Corinthians 3:1-18)
We have been set free to stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. So, if our heart and actions [Christian "chores" as some might call them], lead us to believe that it is our righteousness that saves us, then there was no need for a perfect sacrifice. Indeed, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Galatians 5:4-5)
This is not to suggest that there was no instruction given to the Gentiles, because there were -- but not with an intent to burden us. However, even then, when the doctrines were being established by the apostles and elders of the church, it was no easy feat. Herein, the example from Acts 15 wherein certain men came down from Judaea to teach the brethren.
"But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days," saith the LORD, "I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people." (Jeremiah 31:20, 33)
"Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart, and such trust have we through Christ to Godward; not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who hath made us able ..." (II Corinthians 3:1-6)
There is much more to understand from the book of Galatians so please take the time to study Paul's writings here because these are instructive and necessary to fully understand that if "ye be led of the Spirit, ye are NOT under the Law." (Galatians 5:18)
And also, from Paul's similar instruction to the saints and churches in Corinth:
"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart. And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: how shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.
Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: but their minds were blinded: for until this day remains the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (II Corinthians 3:1-18)
We have been set free to stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. So, if our heart and actions [Christian "chores" as some might call them], lead us to believe that it is our righteousness that saves us, then there was no need for a perfect sacrifice. Indeed, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law, ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith." (Galatians 5:4-5)
This is not to suggest that there was no instruction given to the Gentiles, because there were -- but not with an intent to burden us. However, even then, when the doctrines were being established by the apostles and elders of the church, it was no easy feat. Herein, the example from Acts 15 wherein certain men came down from Judaea to teach the brethren.
These said, "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved." When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of them should go to Jerusalem (unto the apostles and elders) about this question. (Acts 15:1-4)
And being brought on their way by the church they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, causing great joy unto all the brethren. When they got to Jerusalem, these declared all the things which God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." This led to the apostles and elders coming together to consider the matter.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel and believe, and God which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us -- and put no difference between us and and them, purifying their hearts by faith ..." (Acts 15:7-9)
But Peter did not stop there. He continues, saying, "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul who declared what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles, by them.
When the two were finished, Jame spoke and said, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name, and to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called," saith the Lord, "who doeth all things." Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world, wherefore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from the Gentiles are turned to God; but that we write unto them -- that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." (Acts 15:13-21; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:28; Acts 21:25; I Thessalonians 1:9; I Corinthians 8:1; I Corinthians 10:20, 28; Leviticus 3:17; Acts 13:15, 27)
Indeed, the message was so confirmed that the apostles and elders and the whole church (pleased with the decision) wrote letters by them after this manner. Judas and Silas were also sent to tell the same things by mouth -- "for it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things -- that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well." (Acts 15:22-29) Those that heard the epistle rejoiced for the consolation.
Perhaps, we also who believe in Jesus by faith, and have repented and water baptized in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- should equally be rejoicing for the consolation that we are saved by grace, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God! (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 2:36-47; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22)
In closing, know that we are to "praise God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly in Christ -- according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved ... in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ..." (Ephesians 1:1-7)
Stand in the offering plate.
And being brought on their way by the church they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles, causing great joy unto all the brethren. When they got to Jerusalem, these declared all the things which God had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, "That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses." This led to the apostles and elders coming together to consider the matter.
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said, "Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made a choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the Word of the gospel and believe, and God which knows the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us -- and put no difference between us and and them, purifying their hearts by faith ..." (Acts 15:7-9)
But Peter did not stop there. He continues, saying, "Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul who declared what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles, by them.
When the two were finished, Jame spoke and said, "Men and brethren, hearken unto me. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His Name, and to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called," saith the Lord, "who doeth all things." Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world, wherefore, my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from the Gentiles are turned to God; but that we write unto them -- that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day." (Acts 15:13-21; Amos 9:11-12; Acts 15:28; Acts 21:25; I Thessalonians 1:9; I Corinthians 8:1; I Corinthians 10:20, 28; Leviticus 3:17; Acts 13:15, 27)
Indeed, the message was so confirmed that the apostles and elders and the whole church (pleased with the decision) wrote letters by them after this manner. Judas and Silas were also sent to tell the same things by mouth -- "for it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things -- that ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication, from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well." (Acts 15:22-29) Those that heard the epistle rejoiced for the consolation.
Perhaps, we also who believe in Jesus by faith, and have repented and water baptized in His precious Name -- the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ -- should equally be rejoicing for the consolation that we are saved by grace, and that not of ourselves -- it is the gift of God! (Ephesians 2:8-9; Acts 2:36-47; Acts 10:44-48; Romans 6:3-4; I Peter 3:21-22)
In closing, know that we are to "praise God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly in Christ -- according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved ... in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace ..." (Ephesians 1:1-7)
Stand in the offering plate.
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