A Life Worthy

What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come (Galatians 3:19).

Kids need boundaries.

Look around.  Just about every law we have in place is designed to curb some foolish and/or evil desire of Man.  From speeding to slaughter, it’ll happen unless society says “No.”

And sometimes even if we do.

Oh, you can argue with the number of laws we have, or how restrictive they are, but the fact is that anarchy is a launching pad for evil.  We just can’t handle total freedom.

God, being God, knew that, and gave his people the law.  It worked to keep sin under a measure of control until Christ arrived.

I don’t know what boundaries God has placed in your life today.  Maybe they’re financial, or relational, or career, or even physical.  You probably chafe under those limitations the same way I chafe under mine.  So here’s a thought: What say we look at these restrictions as God-given boundaries, provided, not imposed, given for a purpose and with all the wisdom and love that the Lord of the Universe has for us.

Until, you know, the time of the Promise has come.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise (Galatians 3:17).

The promise is where it began.

The promise is where it will end.

The law had value, and served its purpose, but law was never intended to be your master.  You have only one Master, one Lord, one King, and he chooses not to crush you with Law, but to lift you with Grace.

If you’ll let him.

So…um..you know…let him.

Happy Monday, Beloved.

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit (Galatians 3:14).

He could have kept it a private group.

You know–like on Facebook.

God could have kept the whole salvation thing between himself and the Jews.  He could have locked in redemption for just the physical children of Abraham, and let the rest of us serve as a colorful background to the divine drama.

He could have.

But he didn’t.

It would have been so much simpler.  I’m in a place these days where life is busy and complicated and I am always on the lookout for ways to simplify.  The idea of opening up the plan to bring in all the teeming masses of icky unclean folk like me, well it’s just not going to happen.

Fortunately for us all, The Lord of the Universe does not think like Michael.

Let’s call that Reason #35,026 to be glad that I’m not God.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”  (Galatians 3:11)

Oy

If only he had said, “The righteous will live by rules.”

Rules are things I can quantify

and measure

and obey  even if I don’t really believe them.

Rules I can follow

or fake.

I can go through the motions while my heart is busy elsewhere.

This faith business…it takes away pretty much all of my power.

OK, what do you mean, “That’s the whole point?”

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith  (Galatians 3:9).

If you made an appearance in Scripture, how would you be referenced?

I think “The Man of Faith” is pretty great.

Go Abraham.

Beloved, you may not be specifically written into the Bible, but your name is clearly written in another important God book–

The Book of Life.

You know, that book in which the Lord of the Universe records the names of those who are eternally, irrevocably his.

Pretty important book–and you’re in it.  Maybe even in bold font, though I can’t confirm that.

So, remind me again why you have trust issues?

And by you, I mean we.

Happy Friday, Beloved.