In Galatians 3:21 Paul asked the question “Is the law then against the promises of God?” because he had said just a couple of verses back that the law was added to bring out the sinfulness of sin and the guilt of man (verse 19). If the law were still being used, wouldn’t that make it impossible for man to ever be right with God? And wouldn’t that mean that the law would go directly against the promises of God?
“Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.” (Galatians 3:21)1
The law isn’t a negation of God’s promises because it actually had a purpose to lead people to the promises of God. Law and grace are not in conflict because they function in different realms. The law operated in the seen, natural realm bringing condemnation in order to LEAD ONE TO FAITH once Jesus had come. Faith and grace operate in the spiritual realm and bring complete union with God through the “ministry of righteousness” – not our righteousness, but the righteousness of God in Christ.2
The law is the “ministry of condemnation”3 and judged a man based on his obedience. Grace doesn’t take into account obedience to laws, but assesses a man based on his faith in the finished work of Jesus.
Grace is and always has been God’s heart for man! The law isn’t opposed to grace because it was never intended to express God’s approach towards a relationship with man. The law is NOT the basis of God’s assessment of man. Faith is. A sinner who rejects Jesus is alienated from the life of God, not because he has been disobedient – his sin has been paid for and is not counted against him! Sin isn’t the issue. He is alienated from the life of God because he rejects God’s grace.
“…having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart…” (1 Corinthians 4:18)
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation… WE BED YOU ON BEHALF OF CHRIST, BE RECONCILED TO GOD. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:19, 20-21, NASB)4
(from page 267 of Unveiling Jesus)
Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!
Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.
Shop Unveiling Jesus Products
Unveiling Jesus Book
Unveiling Jesus 20-Part Series
Original Unveiling Jesus, 10-part series
1Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
22 Corinthians 3:9
32 Corinthians 3:7
4Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®,Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)”
