Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 

                                                                                                           Galatians 3:24-25

So if God knew that humanity was incapable of adhering to the Law, then why did He send the Law? That is the topic of today’s passage.

Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions…

                                                                                       Galatians 3:19

The Law was added because of the transgressions of mankind that already existed. We will not take the time here to discuss the fall of mankind, but it is important to understand that all of humanity is alienated from God, apart from Christ. This happened as a result of the first man and woman transgressing the words of God (Genesis 3). As a result, everyone now exists with a sin nature, something we inherited from birth (Romans 5:18-19). So the Law was added because of mankind’s sin. We see this reiterated in Paul’s letter to the Romans:

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…

                                                                                                               Romans 5:20

The Law was added so that our guilt under the Law would increase. What? The Law actually increases my guilt (if that’s possible) before God? Yes, the Law demonstrates everyone’s guilt. While all of this seems morbid and depressing, there is good news (the gospel). Reread the last of the previous verse:

…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…                                                                       

                                                                                    Romans 5:20

The guilt that comes through the Law is not greater than the grace of God. God’s love for humanity (John 3:16-17) is greater than our sinfulness. That’s why the gospel is such good news! At this point I hope you are beginning to see why Paul is so adamant about the church clinging to the simplicity of the good news rather than straying into the bondage and condemnation that comes from a works oriented doctrine. But let’s move on.

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 everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.                                                                                                              

                                                                                                            Galatians 3:21-22

The Law has kept all of humanity under a curse, under the guilt of our sin. But here’s the good news: “So that the promise of salvation might be given by faith to those who believe.” Every good thing that God offers in Jesus Christ is received and enjoyed by faith. Once the focus turns to our performance, the promises seem to have no effect in our lives. The promises are still there, they just don’t yield the spiritual fruit that we so desperately want to see. Why? It is because we have shifted from faith back to Law. Consider the following: 

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

                                                                                                           Galatians 3:24-26 

The message is simple. Perhaps that’s why so many intellectuals miss it. The Law is designed to show us how sinful we are and how far away from God’s original design we have strayed. It becomes our tutor, instructing us to run to Jesus and receive salvation from God solely on the basis of the cross without any mixture of our own efforts. But that’s not all. Now that faith has come (once we have received Jesus by faith), we are no longer under the tutor, meaning we are no longer under the Law.

Imagine a doctoral level mathematics class in which the instructor was teaching basic arithmetic. We would find it odd that those who have advanced to such a high level of mathematics would have to be taught how to add two numbers. The doctoral math students use arithmetic in there calculations but they don’t focus on it because it is a skill they have already mastered. When we leave a life of faith and replace it with a legalistic approach to Christian living, it is like returning to preschool all over again. The Bible instructs us to grow in our faith (Colossians 2:6-7). As we do so, we find the spiritual life that we so desperately desire, free of guilt, shame, fear, and doubt. The Law is good…if it leads you to Christ. Why not run to Him today!

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

                                                                                                         Galatians 3:29