“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” – Gal 3:24
The first time I remember someone being held back was in elementary. When the student does not progress in their understanding enough to advance, they remain in their current grade. In college I remember some students took basic math multiple times. The reason: they just couldn’t get it.
I have long since graduated, but now I continue to see church goers who have not progressed in their understanding of the Bible past the rudimentary teachings of the law. Sadly, there are even pastors who are elementary in their understanding of God’s progressive revelation.
They continue to teach under the law not knowing the lesson it was supposed to teach.
“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” – 1 Tim 1:7
The lesson of the law is found in Romans 3:19. We are supposed to learn our sin and subsequently our need for God’s provision in Jesus Christ. The purpose of the law was never to make us holy. It was to bring us unto Christ (Gal 3:24).
Today, the law is used wrongly to judge who are “true” Christians.
It is taught that real Christians tithe, are baptized, confess their sins, offer prayerful sacrifices, consult the priests, go to the temple, honor the Sabbath, wear certain clothes, and wash their hands. They are told to turn from all their sins and face God in obedience of his law. Anything less is false conversion.
It is popular to say that if our country would abide the ten commandments then everything would change. This tells me that they do not understand the lesson of the law.
Unfortunately, this teaching is holding Christians back a grade. In God’s plan we live in the time of graduation. We are not in training any more. The law was useful in its function as a schoolmaster, but only as it helps us to graduate unto Christ.
“But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” – Gal 3:25
Christ did for us what the law could not (Rom 8:3-4). Our identity as Christians depends on our position in Christ by faith not by our obedience to the law. Liberty from the law is not good for building funds and pastors’ paychecks, but it will help you advance in your knowledge of God’s will. It is about time we grew up and saw real change in our spiritual growth.
If you are under a law schoolmaster in your church, then show your diploma of the cross and walk the aisle. Start to joy in God’s grace and its amazing power to deliver you from sin!
Article Index Published: March 20, 2010
Last Modified: September 6, 2016