Galatians 3 reminds me of Home Owner’s Associations. Most people maintain their homes for the well-being created by keeping things at their best. I find joy in creating a neatly cut lawn. If my HOA implemented strict regulations for lawn maintenance, it would turn my labor of love into a burdensome obligation. Today’s lesson is about repairing resentment. Paul continues his instruction by expressing exasperation, “You foolish Galatians!” They had been drawn into a rule-following relationship with God. Paul asks a simple question, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?” He reminds them that God’s Holy Spirit is received by faith. Paul uses the example of Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation. Quoting from Genesis, Paul notes, “Abraham ‘believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.’” Paul explains that everyone who believes the promise given to Abraham are his heirs. Which promise? In Genesis 12, God promised the then 75-year-old Abraham that He would make a great nation from Abraham’s descendants. And, from that nation, Messiah would bring salvation to all. “All nations will be blessed through you”. Abe did not have to do anything to become worthy. Paul continues, “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith”. Faith leads to joy, while obligation leads to frustration. Paul calls him “Abraham, the man of faith”.
The “Judaizers” convinced some in the Galatian church that they must also follow the Law of Moses. Paul spent a lifetime studying the Law. He knew that the law itself says, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law”. After trying and failing at perfection, and in utter frustration, Paul grasped the concept that changed the world; “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us”. Jesus paid off the debt of sin with His life. Paul preached that “the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus… by faith”. Why would anyone willingly go back under the harsh restriction of the Law? The simplest reason is that legalism allows us to feel superior to others by pointing out where they fail. Friend, do you give yourself “Yard of the Month” while issuing citations to others? Condemnation leads to resentment.
The chapter closes with Paul concluding the history lesson. He notes that “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed”. Paul explains, that refers to “one person, who is Christ”. More importantly, Paul points out that “The law [was] introduced 430 years later”. In other words, the promise given to Abraham was established before the Law of Moses. “God in His grace gave it to Abraham”. Paul asks a question many struggle with today; “Why… was the law given at all?” His explains, the Law was necessary because of our transgressions. We do not need instruction to decay into immorality, but we must be taught to have higher aspirations. Paul says, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith… Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” Rules, fines and penalties may raise awareness of problems, but a helping hand offers hope. Unlike the hired handyman, Paul says that we are family; “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”. And best of all, there are no second-class Christians! If you belong to Christ, then you are an heir to the promise. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. My friend, do you feel like a fixer-upper? Jesus lovingly restores the neglected and burdened from the inside-out. He said, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in” (Rev 3:20). Friend, you are His labor of love.