Our scripture this Sunday is Galatians 3:19-29.
There’s been some controversy in the Galatian Church and Paul is not happy! Fraudulent preachers have infiltrated the Galatian church and are undermining his work. They are saying that one must follow the Law (given by Moses) in order to be a Christian.
Paul declares: “Not so!” The Law was needed to point out our brokenness and restrain us. While no mere human can fulfill the Law, only Jesus did through his faithful work of birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection. It is because of his work that we are given faith. Our grateful response to this gift of faith in Christ Jesus is to live out the Spirit of the Law. So, Paul didn’t say the Law was irrelevant. We still learn from the Law, but are no longer bound by its restraints because Jesus Christ has taken care of that for us. And in our lives, we live out the Spirit of the Law, which is summed up by our Savior in this way: Love God, love neighbor, and love yourself.
It is because of this gift of faith in Christ, we are one in Christ. As God’s beloved children there is no male nor female, slave nor free, Jew nor Gentile, rich nor poor, or any other distinction. We are on equal footing in God’s eyes and the transforming power of love of the Holy Spirit is poured out in us. The Holy Spirit works through us to break down the barriers that divide.
Friends in Christ, may this Good News encourage you!
Pastor T. Wes Moore