SCRIPTURE
Galatians 3:21-29
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
COMMENT
A few thoughts: First, what an interesting comment to say that Scripture imprisoned everything under sin. Paul does not blame us, but that does not make us innocent. It is the law that accuses, and the law is found in Scripture. We are guilty because there is a law, without a law we could not be convicted. But that leads to the second thought, the law was put in place so that the promise could be fulfilled. One of God's characteristics is love, and for some that is all they want to talk about. But another is holiness, and holiness demands a standard. Just like we need law to be guilty, God needs law to show us that He holy and perfect. So the law reveals our guilt, and it reveals His holiness.
Who is above the law? Heirs of the King. The king, by virtue of relationship, declares them innocent. So the only way we can be declared a blood relative of the King is through the blood of Jesus. Where the law once declared us guilty, it now reveals our innocence. We are Abraham's offspring through faith, and as such, heirs to the promise given to him.
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