GRACE: A Good Mirror

Study of Galatians

Week 7

Galatians 3:19-22

For several years, I used a mirror in my bedroom. It was just too small and I, quite frankly, didn’t like how I looked in it.  So recently, I decided to get a larger mirror. I shopped and shopped and settled on a replacement. It was perfect!  Expectantly, I took “her” out of the box and wow, she was a beauty!  However, when I placed “her” against the wall and looked into it, I saw the exact same thing as I did in my original mirror, only bigger!  

That is what a mirror does. A good mirror reflects.  

As we looked last week at the promise made by God to Abraham, we also need to look at the purpose of the Law given through Moses. Galatians 3:19, like a mirror, tells us exactly why God gave the Law.

“It was added because of transgressions,” which is a Bible word for sin.

The Law acted as a mirror. It simply reflected the sin that people, namely God’s people, were capable of. While it provided the do’s and don’ts along with boundaries for behavior, it brought no life to the people.  

As Paul wrote to Galatia, he clarified the differences between the promise of the inheritance given to Abraham and the Law given to Moses.  

Abraham was given a promise by God. (Genesis 12:3)

The law was given by both Moses and the angels. (Deuteronomy 33:2)

The law was not given to replace the covenant. It was given in addition to the covenant.

The law was based on conditions. The covenant, God’s promise, was based on His word.

The law, like that big mirror, reflected not how good and holy the people were, but how sinful they could be apart from God.

The law was never meant to be a permanent fix for a rebellious people and their sin.  

Galatians 3:21 tells us “if the law had been given was able to impart life, then righteousness, (right standing with God), would indeed have been based on law.”

But Paul continued his point by saying that God’s Word, '“Scripture, has enclosed every man, (woman and child) under sin.” Romans 3:23 tells that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

The word, “all” is pretty inclusive, isn’t it? But Paul continued with this, that in spite of the “all have sinned” truth, God made a way for us.  He provided a payment for our sin. Something the law could never do.

“The promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.” (Galatians 3:22)

The law and our inability to keep it ultimately drives us to the promise, Jesus Christ, the Holy One. 

And ironically, as we believe in Him, and live with Him, we, like a good mirror,  “reflect” Him.

jeannaswann

#nowuntohimwhoisable

 Question for discussion (your email is never shared or posted)

How can we best live out a life based on faith in Christ and not a set of rules?