diff --git a/content/bible_journal/galatians_3:15-29.md b/content/bible_journal/galatians_3:15-29.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dfa5f34 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/bible_journal/galatians_3:15-29.md @@ -0,0 +1,38 @@ ++++ +title = "Galatians 3:15–29" +date = "2023-08-09" ++++ + +### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Galatians3.15-29) + +Because there has been so much confusion about the law, Paul goes on to explain +its purpose and its relationship to the grace we receive through faith in +Christ. He points out that God made a covenant with Abraham that he would be a +blessing to all nations through his offspring. While even in Greek (and I guess +Hebrew too?) "offspring" can be used as a collective noun, so that its singular +form can refer to a group of offspring, Paul emphasizes that the blessing God +promised came through only one of Abraham's offspring, the Messiah, Jesus. +Because the covenant and the promise were established before the law was given, +then the fulfillment of the promise is not dependent on the law either. This is +what the Pharisees and the Judaizers had gotten wrong. They were trying to +attain God's blessing by keeping the law as well as they could. But if that +were possible, then the blessing wouldn't come through the promise, and that +means God would break His word. + +That doesn't mean the law is useless, however. Nor is it opposed to the +covenant promise. Instead, they are complimentary because the law points out +the need for the promise by exposing sin and revealing to us how big a deal it +is to God. It also functioned as a guardian until the fullness of the promise +was revealed. A guardian was a household slave who took care of the master's +children. Their job was to teach and correct, even doling out punishments for +misbehavior. Additionally, they would act as chaperones and seek to guard +against bad influences. Just as an heir is no longer under the guardian's +authority when he reaches majority, we are no longer under the ceremonial law +which caused Israel to be distinct and separate from its neighbors. Now, our +common faith in Christ allows us all to be unified with Him, regardless of any +physical or social status we happen to have. + +* * * + +It is wondrous that You would adopt us as co-heirs with Christ, after all we +have done before You rescued us.