When someone makes a will, and leaves a lot of money, or perhaps a grand house or property to their heir, if that heir is still a child, a minor, that money and property is placed under guardianship. The heir cannot have it, or at least full use of it, until they reach a certain age, perhaps eighteen or twenty, or sometimes even older. We see this in school settings, as well, whether one attends traditional schools or has private tutors. When the student is younger, they are more under the authority of the teachers, but as they advance through the grades, they obtain more privileges and freedom. The Apostle Paul uses this figure as he explains to the Galatian church the purpose of the Old Testament Law in bringing believers to Christ and justification by faith.
The Apostle Paul wrote his epistle or letter to the Galatian church to address certain issues that had developed in that church, mainly whether believers, particularly believers from a Gentile background, needed to follow the Old Testament Law in order to be truly saved or not. There were certain people who were going around the churches in Galatia, teaching the new believers, particularly Gentile believers, that in order to be genuinely saved they needed to follow the Old Testament Law in addition to having faith in Jesus Christ. As soon as Paul heard about this, he wrote and sent this letter to correct that false teaching. He taught that adherence to the Old Testament Law was not necessary for salvation at all. So what was the purpose of the Law?
As Paul wrote in his epistle to the Galatians, he emphasized that before the Lord Jesus came, those who were believers and followers of Yahweh were under the guardianship of the Law, just like an underaged heir of a fortune is put under the guardianship of a protector. However now, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, they are adopted as children of God and heirs to His promises.
As verse 23 begins, we read how we were kept under the authority of the Law, just like the young child is under guardianship, or a young student is under a tutor. It was a form of confinement, keeping the people under its authority until the arrival of the Lord Jesus, whereby we have salvation through faith in Him. Paul teaches that the Mosaic Law was temporary, just like a guardian or tutor is temporary, and prepared people for salvation through Christ. He stated in verse 24 that the Law acted like a tutor, guiding people towards the realization that they needed a Savior.
We know from our own experiences that it is impossible to fully keep the laws of God on our own. No one, even the holiest and most sincere person, can obey everything in the Bible. Thus we need the sacrifice of the Blood of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus. Salvation is by grace through faith alone, not by works of the Law (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once the Lord Jesus came, salvation through faith in Him was established, and we are no longer under the Law’s authority (vs. 25). The age of grace has replaced the age of the Law.
Paul continues by stating that one becomes a child of God when they have faith in Jesus Christ (vs. 26). It is faith in Christ that makes believers children of God, not adherence to the Law, whether the Old Testament Law or any modern church regulations and dictates today. We are saved through faith, not works. Verse 26 goes along with Romans 8:15-17 in teaching about spiritual adoption.
As we continue in verse 27, the baptism mentioned here is referring to spiritual baptism, being saved, not water baptism. We are not saved by being baptized. That will never save us. Baptism is important, and the Bible tells us we should be baptized, but it is only faith that saves us. This spiritual baptism fully identifies us with Jesus, it unites us with Him. As Paul says, we “put on” Christ. When God looks at a born-again believer, He does not see us clothed in our sins. He sees Jesus’ righteousness. It is like we are wearing Him. We are hidden in Him, we are covered by Him.
Paul continues by teaching that salvation is available to all, regardless of their race or national background, whether they are rich or poor, or whether they are male or female (vs. 28). Jesus is the Savior for everyone, and anyone who calls out to Him in faith will be saved (Romans 10:13).
Our Scripture concludes with Paul teaching that Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, inherit the promises given to Abraham, not through physical lineage, but through faith in Christ (vs. 29). This supports the doctrine of justification by faith, and the spiritual fulfilment of God’s promises. The blessings of Abraham come upon the Gentiles, along with the Jews, and we both are joint-heirs and partakers of the promise. We have been born again into royalty!
Looking back we see that the Old Testament Law was a temporary guardian but faith in Jesus brings true righteousness. To become a child of God, one must be a believer of Jesus Christ through faith. We learn that all believers, regardless of their background are equal in Christ Jesus, and as a believer in Jesus, we inherit the blessings of Abraham through faith.
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