Galatians 3:18-19 Because Salvation is through Promise, Let the Law and Christ have their Proper Roles

Galatians 3:18-19 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

The promise made to Abraham could not be based upon both the covenant of the Law and the promise given to Abraham. So as Paul has been arguing, God has granted the inheritance to Abraham by His promise. Thus the covenant made at Sinai is subject to the promise given to Abraham. The promise has supremacy over the covenant of the Law. If the Law had supremacy, then salvation would be based upon adherence to the Law, not on the promise of God to justify the ungodly. Abraham was granted (fully the work of God in grace, and the permanent work of God in grace—as is demonstrated by Paul’s use of the perfect tense “has granted”) salvation not by the means of adhering to the Law, but on the basis of God’s promise of the gracious gift in Christ Jesus (the justifying of sinners).

So the question most necessarily arises: if salvation comes through the promise and not through the Law, why did God give the Law at all? The Law seems to have been useless and obsolete even when it was first given (like most WINDOWS based computers, which are obsolete before they hit the market).

Paul knows, and whole-heartedly believes in the usefulness and goodness of the Law (cf. Romans 7:7-13). He thus makes clear that the Law was given by God, through angels by Moses (as the mediating representative between God and the Israelite people) to show the people their transgressions and need of God’s grace. The Law showed sin to be as detestable as it really is (Romans 7:7-8, 13). It served as a springboard for the sinful nature by showing the sin all sorts of evil in which it could seek to indulge itself (showing the true colors of sin and the absolute reign it has in those who are sinful). This is why God ordained that the Law be given. It was His purpose to show mankind their utter sinfulness. When the Holy Spirit works in a person’s heart, they are able to see their utter sinfulness and see their need for Christ.

Thus, Christian, do not cast the Law aside as evil, but use it to search out sin in your own life that must be killed and use it to show others their sinfulness before God that they might see their need for Christ. And for you, unbelieving friend, weigh your life against the Law. You are sure to see that you do not measure up to the standard of God: perfection (Matthew 5:48). See that you stand under the condemnation of the Law and that you are in danger of the eternal fires of Hell. When you see this, repent of your sin and throw yourself fully upon the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Let Him be the curse of the Law for you and to be credited with you sin, that you might be credited with His righteousness and stand faultless, and in fact as having fulfilled the Law, before the judgment throne of God.

Since the Law shows us our sinfulness and our need of God’s grace, it was given until the proper time (Galatians 4:4) when Christ, the heir of Abraham, was to come. The Law was given to lead people to God until Christ, the fullness of the revelation of God came (Hebrews 1:2-3). Christ, in coming, took full possession of the promise given to Abraham that it might be fulfilled for all who trust in God. Thus, friend, since Christ has come, do not seek to be under the Law, but seek to be found in Christ.