'Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise (Gal. 3:23-29)!’
God gave the Israelites the Law through Moses and the law reigned supreme until the incarnation of Christ; “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill (Mt. 5:17).” The Law was given to identify and punish those who violated God’s statutes in preparation for Christ. The Law demanded obedience and did not lead to righteousness, but followers of Christ are made righteous through Baptism and faith. Since Jesus is the Son of God, we become adopted sons and daughters as long as we are in union with him and obedient to his word. If we are one with Christ, then all other differences are irrelevant as we are made one through the one Spirit. Adopted sons and daughters share in the divine promise to Abraham. However, being one in Christ does not mean that there is equality socially, politically or within the Church hierarchy.
Almighty God, we could neither add nor subtract from the Law you gave our forefathers to observe. Through faith in your Son Jesus Christ we are adopted sons and daughters and have been granted freedom from the bonds of sin. Guide us that we may be ever faithful to your teaching and help us to understand that your commandments are the path to eternal life. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
References:
Raymond E. Brown, Joseph A. Fitzmyer, & Roland E. Murphy, (Eds.). (1990, 1968). The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentis Hall, Inc.
Jose M. Casciaro, Santiago Ausin, Gonzalo Aranda, Claudio Basevi, Vincente Balaguer, Francisco Varo, James Gavigan, Brian McCarthy & Thomas McGovern (Eds.). (2017). The Navarre Bible - New Testament. Dublin 8, Ireland: Four Courts Press.
Comments