Proper 15 (NTA)

Galatians 3:10-29

¹⁰ For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” ¹¹ Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” ¹² But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” ¹³ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— ¹⁴ so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

¹⁵ To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. ¹⁶ Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. ¹⁷ This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. ¹⁸ For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

¹⁹ Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. ²⁰ Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.

²¹ Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. ²² But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

²³ Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. ²⁴ So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, ²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

There are many different kinds of works of the flesh. These works of the flesh trap us into all kinds of temptations. But even St Paul points us back to the Law to remind us the requirements of the Law are their to instruct us on how to live. But no one is saved by the Law, but Christ saves us from under the Law.

If someone would stand in front of you as Moses did, and recount all the things you are supposed to do. If you do not follow these Laws completely you are cursed. This makes us feel guilty and tortured. This was the life of a Jew or a Greek under the Law of Moses. You have rules that you are supposed to follow and if you do not follow them completely you must be put to death.

But we are not saved by the works of the Law, but by the grace of God. It is God who works faith in our hearts and minds. It is God who saves us by that faith focus upon His work of salvation through Jesus Christ. Therefore, you are rescued from life condemned under the Law for eternity. You are given Life with God.

Therefore, let us put off the works of the flesh, and put on the entire armor of God. It is God who saves us through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus who saves us from the curses of the Law.