We learned yesterday that the Law (of Moses) is like a “schoolmaster,” an “in-charge” person who virtually tells us every move to make. Nearly a “guardian” … for an under-aged minor, but certainly not for an adult!
And now today we learn even more!
Paul continues to write: “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:25
With the noun “faith” (“pisteuo” in Greek, meaning “trust, belief” … in Jesus as Saviour) meaning either (chronologically) the Virgin Birth, Jesus’ first Coming into the world or (experientially) the moment we were born-again (by accepting God’s Word as Truth and God’s Son as Salvation) by the Grace of God!
Either way … “faith” certainly did “come!”
How?
Best verse I know to answer this question … “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
Point is … once a man or woman has been “saved” … has “believed” into Christ Jesus … has come to that “child of God” relationship … he or she no longer needs the Law, not in any “saving” sense!
The Law was a “Pointer” to Jesus, showing us how badly we needed Him to forgive us of our sins!
Paul illustrates this fact so well in Romans 7:7. “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” Wow!)
The Law, as a stern schoolmaster, brought me to Jesus, God’s Means of Salvation!
But now maturing (even if slowly maturing) in Christ …. I no longer need a schoolmaster!
Praise God!
But then again, wait just a minute.
No law?
Then … will not a Christian live too loosely?
With no “taskmaster” guiding him or her?
Oh, not so!
We have a New Guide now?
God the Holy Spirit Who indwells every new believer in Jesus!
And He is our “Policeman!”
Our “Navigator!”
Our “Pointer” to living right!
Paul calls our so listening to the Spirit of God, letting Him “control” our lives … “walking in the Spirit!” (Not following the Law of Moses!)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1
Better yet maybe: “That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:4
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16, coming up soon in our Lessons, the Lord willing, eventually!
Yes, the LAW of the Spirit overrules the LAW of Moses … for a Christian living on earth today! “For THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2
Amen!
No longer needing a schoolmaster!
Because we now know (and love) the Holy Ghost of Almighty God! He’s not merely a “schoolmaster” (who in Roman times was, if you remember a “slave”) … but rather the “Teacher!”
John 14:26, Jesus instructing His Disciples … “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, HE SHALL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Yes, the Teacher!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell