A Binding Contract

Galatians 3:15-29

Most people who want a new building contract out the construction. They hire an architect to design a building that will meet their needs. The plans specify what materials will be used, what sizes the rooms will be, and where things will be located. Once the plans are finalized, they are submitted to contractors. The contractors calculate what materials and labor costs will be to build a house meeting those specifications, and determine how much they will build the house for. Once the price is agreed upon, and a contract is signed, it is binding. Neither side can change the contract.

The idea of a fixed contract is the basis of Paul’s teaching in the next few verses. God had made a covenant with Abraham, which did not include the law, nor other requirements many wish to impose.

“Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.” (Galatians 3:5-18)

God established his covenant or contract with Abraham on faith, not actions. The law was not given till four hundred thirty years after Israel went into Egypt, during the Exodus. It was a completely separate agreement, having no effect on the original covenant. The new agreement could not replace the original, which was based on God’s promise, rather than on man’s efforts. To switch would require God to break his word, and we know that God cannot lie according to Titus 1:2.

Frequently, in the process of completing an agreement, it is discovered that other things are needed, and an additional contract is signed to take care of the additional needs. The new contract is not part of the original, event though it may involve the same project and principals. The Law was such an additional covenant.

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” (Galatians 3:19-21)

The law was like a secondary contract providing for temporary restrooms such as portable toilets until the sewer system is complete. They don’t take care of the problem, but they enable one to get by until the real system is useable. They are needed for the interim, but they will never be allowed as a substitute for the restrooms that are specified in the original contract.

“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:22-26)

Every person on the construction site’s body produces waste, requiring a way of dealing with that waste. In the same way, every person sins, requiring that a way of dealing with that sin be provided, as Romans 3:10-20 tells us. The portable toilets provides a temporary solution to body waste, but every time you are forced to use it, you are reminded how bad a permanent solution is needed. The law provided a temporary solution to the sin problem, but emphasized the need for a permanent solution. Keeping the law, for a Christian, is somewhat like insisting on using the portable toilets when the house is done.

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:27-29)

Most contractors will not allow their employees to use the new restrooms they are responsible for it.. When the building is approved for occupancy, and the owners move in, everyone who has a right to be in the building is free to use the facilities freely. A secretary, or a mechanic, white or black, all are equally free to use the new restrooms. They belong there. Being in Christ has given us access to the permanent solution for our sin, by faith in Christ. Why would we insist on keeping the contract for portable toilets