The law and the promise
by Faye Schmidt
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator (Galatians 3:19).
Read Galatians 3:15–22
During the week, we have been meditating on Paul’s words to the Galatians, where he has made it clear that we are not made right with God by obeying the law but by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
It is tempting, therefore, to consider that the law has no relevance for us. But Paul makes it clear that the law has a purpose for us today.
Say you have an accident playing sport. You think you have broken your leg. It feels strange, and you can’t put your full weight on it, but you are unsure as to the impact of the injury. So you go to the doctor, who arranges for an X-ray of your leg. The X-ray reveals that you do indeed have a fracture.
Identifying the problem or knowing something is wrong doesn’t heal you, nor does the X-ray heal you – it just identifies the problem.
The law is like that. The law does not save us, but it aids us in identifying how we, as failed creatures, have ‘broken bones’ within us – for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
We cannot mend ourselves. We can’t be made perfect by ourselves – no matter how much service we provide to our church, community or family. It is not fulfilling the law that makes us right with God.
But we have a mediator, Jesus, who took on all our ‘broken bones’ (the ones we know and the ones we are unaware of), paid the price and made us right with God.
So why should we do works and endeavour to fulfil the law? In thanksgiving and as a response to the gift of salvation given to us by Jesus Christ.
Dear Lord, thank you for coming into the world to heal me from all my sins. As I look in the mirror of the law and it reveals my sins, please forgive me and equip me through the Holy Spirit to live my life in thanksgiving and praise. Amen.
Faye Schmidt continues her diaconal calling through governance, having served on the Vic–Tas District Church Board, the General Church Board and currently as chair of the Standing Committee on Constitutions and her congregation, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Adelaide. Having lived and worked in many locations within Australia and overseas, Faye has a heart for the stranger and the newcomer and for being open to new ideas, learning from others and responding to needs.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
