Faith & Worship

Galatians 3:23-29 (New International Version)

Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ[a] that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Sons of God
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Enslaved

Can you imagine a life where failure is at the centre of everything? Try living according to the rules that the ordinary Jew lived under in Jesus’ time and you will begin to understand why Paul talks about being a prisoner to the law – if full adherence to the law is the way to God then few will find Him.

23. Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

The Cross is like a prison door opening, with Jesus himself gesturing for mankind to walk through towards freedom; yet so many people see an open door and prefer the security of darkness in the place where they now stand rather than step out into the light.

If we look around we see a lot of folk who are prisoners of one sort or another; enslaved to fear, prejudice, pride, insecurity, anger or sin. It is difficult to understand the reluctance of mankind to embrace the freedom that Jesus brings, but the simple truth is that in God’s eyes all are equal and all are equally able to accept the hand of Grace that he offers. ‘Now that faith has come,’ says Paul. ‘We are no longer under the supervision of the law.’

Lord God, help us to embrace the freedom that is ours through the love of Jesus Christ