Want to experience a "Kodac Moment?” Journey with me to Galatians 3:23–25.
But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed (verse 23).Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith (verse 24). But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (verse 25).
A rare moment: Old Testament (Law) and New Testament (Faith) posing together in the same scripture! True, the Law was a temporary manager until Jesus came. But understand that the transition was smooth because it was on purpose (Galatians 3:24). The Old Law prepares the heart for Jesus’ managing style and all the new benefits to follow. So a "new creature” with amnesia (to the Law) doesn’t have a heart designed for a promotion (Matthew 9:17). And I’ll prove it.
Verse 24 is clear: to truly acclimate with God’s redemption plan (Jesus) is
to first subscribe to the psychological intent of HIS Law, mastering the hatred of sin itself. For
example, if a man stole, it wasn’t enough to eventually give it
back! He had to repay the victim seven times the amount [sin = 7x]. And if
someone slandered another, they got the same punishment their victim
was facing [slander = back 2u]. The Leviticus experience is our friend! This was God’s strategy to prepare our
hearts! Temptation was outed as a provocative loss and had people
saying "hell no" to its invitations, right? See back then God’s Law was immediately
demonstrative, rather than the slow and politically-correct animation of today.
Promises later, here comes Jesus (the Faith). But is Christ against the Law? Not in the least, my friends! In fact, our Savior confirms the same (Law) mentality when He said anything within you that causes you to sin, "pluck it out” (Matthew 5:29)! Then Jesus (Faith) clarifies, "Don’t you [dare] think I came to abolish the Law. I came to fulfill it.” Unfortunately, that’s exactly what we did as a modern religion! We championed over the Law’s abolishment rather than its fulfillment! And two things happen immediately. (1) It "saves" our spiritual immaturity. And (2) it guarantees a never-ending struggle with "faith!"
Let’s be honest! If sin could talk, and we eavesdropped, it would be toasting evil with champagne:
Sin: [Holding up a glass] "To a new era where no one detects us, rebukes us, overtaxes or avenges us anymore! To a world that rarely learns I’m a consequential fraud. And even for those who have, it’s not politically-correct to call me on it anymore!"
Evil: [Tilting its glass] "These novice fools treat the Old Testament like an old-fashioned man; they ignore it! So their passivity is our new hiding place. Cheers!”
Evidence? Sure. The average Christian today describes their own sin as a natural occurrence that will eventually be ignored by their victims (if they’re truly saved) or else the victim will be in trouble for unforgiveness! How convenient! No dialogue (Psalms), no self-improvement (Proverbs), no spiritual investigation (Job), and no "old school” biblical intent whatsoever! Let’s drop the Barney Theory as it’s simply not biblical, simply not Law, and simply not effective. In every social equation, let us "factor” in Galatians: the old with the new.