Galatians 3:24-28 New Living Translation
“Let
me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected
us until we could be made right with God thru faith. And now that the way of
faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. For you are all
children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been
united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For
you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Faith in Christ
transcends all socio and economic differences.
In God’s economy there is no slave or free, no Jew or Gentile, no male
or female, only those who have devoted their lives to serving the one true God.
When God’s grace became an umbrella covering all who had placed their faith in
him, the law ceased to be necessary. The law is the Mosaic Law or the Law of
Moses. It was set in place to shine a
light on the sinfulness of man. The Old Testament sacrificial system God put in
place was designed to cleanse the sins of the people and was an annual event.
Paul wrote to the church in Galatia
for the purpose of coming against the Judaizers, who taught Gentile believers
that they must obey Jewish Law to be saved.
Even though God’s grace replaced the law, false teaching was wreaking
havoc on the brethren, causing confusion and dismay. Paul’s letter was written to encourage the
believers in Galatia to cling to their faith and resulting freedom in
Christ. Our salvation causes us to be
seen as righteous and holy before God, a new creation in Christ. It is described above as “putting on new
clothes”.
Because we are all considered heirs
of Christ there is no distinction between classes or ethnicity. No one is any more privileged than another,
neither is anyone superior in any way to anyone else. We simply need to love and accept one another
as Christ has loved and accepted us.
John 13:34-35 says that the world will know we are Christians by our
love for one another. Placing man inspired divisions within the body of Christ
based on race, gender, accomplishments or wealth is ungodly behavior and
completely out of line. We are to
receive, accept and support all those who have devoted their lives to Christ
and had sins forgiven. We are not
judges, only God judges. We are to be
followers, submissive to the Holy Spirit.
Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
Resource: The
Life Application Study Bible; The Reformation Study Bible.
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