Sign Posts and Guard-Rails

Text
“Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sin” (Galatians 3:19, NLT).
“Let me put it to you another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be make right with God through faith” (Galatians 3:24, NLT).

Insight
The law was not given as a way by which we could be made right with God. “If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it” (3:21). The fact is there is only one way to freedom: “By believing in Jesus Christ” (3:22).
The purpose of the law was to function like a sign post. It was designed to point people to God. So, when we look into the mirror of the law, we see how we have failed and sinned. We realize that we have not and cannot obey it. It shows us our sin and points us to God. When we look into the law we conclude we need God; His mercy and salvation.
Also, the law acts as a guard-rail. It protects us from running into the ditches of life. When we rub up against or sometimes slam up against the guard-rail, we realize we are going in the wrong direction. We need to repent… turn around… and head back onto the path of righteousness.
The law was designed to function for a limited time… “until the way of faith was revealed” (3:23). Christ came to fulfill the requirements of the law and offers His blessings and righteousness to all who believe in Him. In Him we live by the law of love that brings life and in Him we are set free from the law which brings the curse of sin and death.

Prayer
Father, thank You for the law… For I would not have known what was right and wrong except You show me. When confronted with my failure to meet the requirements of the law, help me to run to You, not from You. Protect me from the deceptive paths that will lead me into ruin. In Jesus name, AMEN.