Download this study on God’s grace vs. living by legalism.
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School gives a good illustration of legalism. You know that if you show up for class on time, don’t talk during class, take notes, do the assignments, and follow the study guide, you will be approved (get a passing grade). Rules give us something to measure ourselves by. We derive a sense of self-worth by accomplishing goals, doing better than others in a competition, and being able to follow the checklist of good behavior. For this reason, some love the Law of Moses.
Some Christians think they are closer to God by Sabbath keeping, following dietary laws, and observing Jewish holidays. However, these are only fleshly measures. What does Galatians 2:16 say about the works of the law?
Just as King Saul was driven by a demon, young Saul let the spirit of legalism possess him. Later, law-keeping had so warped the church’s perspective, Paul cried out, “Who bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1). Spirit-filled people who have returned to following a list of rules become possessed by something other than God. Answer the question posed in Galatians 3:2.
Now answer the question raised in Galatians 3:3.
We know the power of the gifts of the Spirit. So answer the question Paul asks in Galatians 3:5.
When certain religious people try to chain you with keeping Moses’ Law, you should be informed. What does Galatians 3:10 says comes on those who keep the Law?
Some people ask, “If the Law of Moses is so bad, why did God give it?” The answer could be that it controlled people’s outward conduct until their hearts grew in faith and closeness with Him. Perhaps, we could say the Law kept the people distinct from the world around them. The law was only a bandage on the problem of sin until surgery could be performed on humanity’s sin condition (Galatians 3:19).
If people could make themselves right with God by following a list of rules, the Law would have been the way. Instead, the Law does not give life (3:21). Here, Paul refers to himself and the Jews as “us.” He refers to the Gentile (non-Jewish) church in Galatia as “you.” This is important to understanding the next couple verses. What does the apostle say the Law did to “us” or to the Jews, in Galatians 3:23?
Not only were the Jews imprisoned by the Law, it beat on them. How does Galatians 3:24 describe this?
The word “schoolmaster” or “tutor” in some Bibles does not do justice to the meaning here. This “schoolmaster” was a household slave who watched over every move his master’s children made. He hovered over them in the morning and got them to their studies on time. He hovered over them at the playground or in the street to make sure they did not break rules, follow the wrong crowd, or ruin their father’s reputation. He was hated, and children who came of age were so glad to be rid of him.
When Jesus came, we came of age. His Grace brings us liberty to please God without being smothered by the Law. Read Galatians 3:25. How does it feel to you to be free from a list of rules?
