30th January 2017

Standing on the promises of God

GALATIANS 3 v. 19 – 22
‘Why the law, then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made.
Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be!
For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.
But the Scripture has shut up all people under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.’

For Paul, the law is given because of sin, and is passed via angels through a mediator, whilst the promise comes directly via the ‘seed’ (Jesus Christ).
The law results in us feeling trapped, held captive, until we’re set free by faith in Christ.

PRAYER
Lord God,
forgive us when we make this life all about ‘us’,
when we make our walk with You dependent upon how ‘good’ we shape up to be.
That’s like walking round in circles in a cell of our own making,
whilst, in Christ Jesus, You come to set us FREE.
Free to receive the promise of God –
life in all its fullness
even life eternal.
AMEN.

CHALLENGE
Ask God for a clearer understanding, a deeper appreciation, of the promise of freedom
which Christ makes a reality. Free to live, free to love, free to serve.