Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Galatians 3

Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Galatians 3:23-26 

I continue a pause my study of Hosea to focus on Galatians through tomorrow as this book will be discussed with my Friday AM men's Bible study.  I move on to Galatians chapter 3 where Paul continues to chide the church at Galatia for falling prey to false teachers and teaching that espouses faith comes from obedience to the law, specifically Mosaic/OT law.  He sets them straight regarding how Christ came to fulfill the law, giving believers in Him freedom from the law and new life. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv2-3,5: God gives believers the Holy Spirit to work in us through the process of sanctification as He molds us into His image.  V19: God gave us the law "because of transgressions" and this suggests that a core role of the law is that it allows believers to understand their own sin and to allow God to work in us through sanctification such that we are not slaves to the law or sin but instead slaves to Christ. This is further explained by the text in vv22-26 where once again Paul reinforces that believers are justified (not guilty) not by acts or works of the law but by grace alone/faith in Jesus Christ. Of course Paul's argument here is much more detailed and elegant but that is the core of the text.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Abraham is highlighted in the text for his faith in the promise/covenant made with God (Genesis 15).  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to avoid becoming slaves to the law - seeing it as something to do.  We are to claim the promise that Christ, upon our faith and belief in Him, starts a work in us through the Holy Spirit and will continue until glorification when the process is complete and we meet Christ face to face. Follow the example of faith set by Abraham who believed and had faith in the covenant God made with him.    

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for saving me, and for starting a work in me with the Holy Spirit to make me more like You.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily - including hypocrisy!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.