JUL 6

Galatians 3:24-26
Memorise Galatians 3:24
“the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ”

In March, 1995, an atheist organization known as the “Alabama Freethought Association” filed a federal action in the District Court of Alabama against Judge Roy Moore, demanding he no longer display the Ten Commandments in his courtroom, and stop opening his court sessions with prayer. The ensuing legal tussle resulted in a ruling in 2002 declaring that his display of the Ten Commandments was unconstitutional, and had to be removed. To those who were against Judge Moore, they felt that the Ten Commandments had no place in the courtroom, for they deemed it to be just a religious document of Christianity, and had no relevance for the law of the land. To them, their own country’s constitution was the highest law, and there was nothing greater.

However, Galatians 3:24-26 gives us a different perspective. Paul tells us that the law of God is not ‘just another religious document’, but it is essential to guide us to Christ. It is portrayed as a schoolmaster, or in our lingo, the discipline master of the school, who would restrain and rebuke us, to point out all the ways in which we have broken the rules. As naughty schoolchildren, we would always be on the run from the discipline master, and if we had our way, we would be most happy if he were to disappear from the school! That is exactly how unbelievers would regard the law, for when they are called to examine their lives before the law their schoolmaster, they would realize their guilt and that they deserve punishment. An unregenerate heart would therefore hate the Ten Commandments and want them out of sight!

However, as they learn about their depravity, it is not all just about condemnation, but as a good schoolmaster, the law would also direct one to see that there is hope only in the Lord Jesus Christ. They would see their need for a saviour, and consequently put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thus, we can see the law being pictured as a guide or signpost to lead unbelievers to realize their need for a saviour, to drive them to their knees to repent of their sin and put their faith in Jesus alone.

Thought: How can we use the Ten Commandments when we share the gospel with our friends?
Prayer: Lord, give me the courage to share God’s law with my friends that they may see their need for Christ.