FROM RESTRAINT TO FELLOWSHIP
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. Gal. 3:23, R.S.V.
The quest for freedom begins in the cradle. It seems inbred in us to resist that which would inhibit our desires. Deep inside each of our hearts lives that passion for independence. Does the gospel mean to destroy that passion? Don't answer too quickly, for God Himself hails a certain kind of independence!
Certainly we are not talking about the independence that seeks to live contrary to God's government. That kind of freedom is always destructive to self and others and needs restraint. Notice, however, that our text today says, "kept under restraint until." The "until" implies an end to restraint, but does it imply an end to independence? Let us read on, using the Phillips translation of Galatians 3:24: Or, to change the metaphor, "the Law was like a strict tutor in charge of us until we went to the school of Christ and learned to be justified by faith in him."
Ah! There's the first key! Restrained until we have learned to be justified by faith in Him. And, as the text says, we shall learn this by going to the "school of Christ." What is taught in the school of Christ? Jesus Himself testified that He came to reveal to us the Father (John 17:4; Luke 10:22).
Therefore, we shall come to know the Father by studying the life of Christ. And in coming to know Him, our relationship with Him will be healed, or "set right," as the word justify implies. Having learned how good, how reasonable, and adequate, are His ways, we will joyfully adhere to His counsel. As it was Christ's, it will be our meat and drink to do the will of God. Not because we have to (restraint), but because we desire it ourselves.
We desire it ourselves! That is the second key. What restraints need be applied to the driver who wants to drive safely? The restraints are in himself. Even so, his choices are still his own as to where he will travel. His independence is not at variance with the law; it is served by the law! For the law is not to abort independence but to guide us safely in our choices.
God created us to be more than restrained children. He created us to have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-3). By our own independent choice we may do just that.
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. Gal. 3:23, R.S.V.
The quest for freedom begins in the cradle. It seems inbred in us to resist that which would inhibit our desires. Deep inside each of our hearts lives that passion for independence. Does the gospel mean to destroy that passion? Don't answer too quickly, for God Himself hails a certain kind of independence!
Certainly we are not talking about the independence that seeks to live contrary to God's government. That kind of freedom is always destructive to self and others and needs restraint. Notice, however, that our text today says, "kept under restraint until." The "until" implies an end to restraint, but does it imply an end to independence? Let us read on, using the Phillips translation of Galatians 3:24: Or, to change the metaphor, "the Law was like a strict tutor in charge of us until we went to the school of Christ and learned to be justified by faith in him."
Ah! There's the first key! Restrained until we have learned to be justified by faith in Him. And, as the text says, we shall learn this by going to the "school of Christ." What is taught in the school of Christ? Jesus Himself testified that He came to reveal to us the Father (John 17:4; Luke 10:22).
Therefore, we shall come to know the Father by studying the life of Christ. And in coming to know Him, our relationship with Him will be healed, or "set right," as the word justify implies. Having learned how good, how reasonable, and adequate, are His ways, we will joyfully adhere to His counsel. As it was Christ's, it will be our meat and drink to do the will of God. Not because we have to (restraint), but because we desire it ourselves.
We desire it ourselves! That is the second key. What restraints need be applied to the driver who wants to drive safely? The restraints are in himself. Even so, his choices are still his own as to where he will travel. His independence is not at variance with the law; it is served by the law! For the law is not to abort independence but to guide us safely in our choices.
God created us to be more than restrained children. He created us to have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-3). By our own independent choice we may do just that.
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