"What Does the Law Say?"Galatians 4:21
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?
Thoughts for Today:In 1 Timothy 1:6-11, Paul counsels Timothy regarding some of the same types of problems he experienced in Galatia: "Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious...and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."
In other words, anyone who is teaching the Law as a way to earn righteousness is preaching a message that is contrary to the Gospel. And anyone who truly understands the Law knows that it is good, but only if used for the right purpose. What is the purpose? To identify sin and point us toward Jesus. So the ones in Galatia who were advocating that keeping the Law was necessary in order to obtain righteousness didn't know what they're talking about. Why? Because every precept of the Law must be kept perfectly or the whole thing would be broken (which was an impossibility for any human being to achieve).
Questions to Ponder:What does Jesus say about the Law? Is His teaching represented in your life today? Are you keeping its spiritual aspects? Are you using it for the right purpose?
Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?
Thoughts for Today:In 1 Timothy 1:6-11, Paul counsels Timothy regarding some of the same types of problems he experienced in Galatia: "Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm. We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious...and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me."
In other words, anyone who is teaching the Law as a way to earn righteousness is preaching a message that is contrary to the Gospel. And anyone who truly understands the Law knows that it is good, but only if used for the right purpose. What is the purpose? To identify sin and point us toward Jesus. So the ones in Galatia who were advocating that keeping the Law was necessary in order to obtain righteousness didn't know what they're talking about. Why? Because every precept of the Law must be kept perfectly or the whole thing would be broken (which was an impossibility for any human being to achieve).
Questions to Ponder:What does Jesus say about the Law? Is His teaching represented in your life today? Are you keeping its spiritual aspects? Are you using it for the right purpose?
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