The Graduate

Galatians 3:24-4:7

Children are sent to school from a young age. They are expected to attend school for at least twelve years in the United States. The school is supposed to prepare them for living a useful and prosperous life when they grow up. In order to accomplish that goal, kids are expected to do a great many things that they would not naturally sit down and do, such as learning to read, write, and do arithmetic. They are expected to teachers and school personnel, even when they would prefer not. They are expected to be present and in the proper place every day, and to complete their assignments on time. Literally, getting their education is their job for their school years. I agree with those who believe that it is unfair to expect kids to spend their time away from school doing homework when we don’t expect it of the adults.

The school occupies the children’s day for the time they are students, keeping them under control and safe, while preparing them for the next part of their life. Though it takes several years, everyone knows that at some point in time it will end. The student will graduate, and no longer be required to attend school. He will no longer have to obey those teachers, nor do his lessons. He is free to act in the way that he pleases, recognizing that he will have to take the consequences of his actions. While he will use things he learned in school. He will almost never do exactly what he did in school.

Paul describes the law as a school preparing us for Christian life. It is not Christianity, and once we become Christians, we have graduated and are no longer under the authority of the law. We are no longer in kindergarten, elementary school, middle school or high school. We are now adults.

“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. Ga 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 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 3:24-29)

The student is no different than an employee of some large company. His hours of attendance are prescribed by some one else. He is required to conduct himself in a certain manner. He has bosses who he must obey, and certain things that must be accomplished. It is his job, and state law imposes it upon the student. He is bound by the school attendance laws. He does not have freedom to refuse to go to school, and is very limited in his choices as to which school, and classes and teachers he attends, regardless of his parent’s position in the community.

“Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:1-7)

At the proper time, the student receives his diploma, certifying that he has completed his school requirements. At that point he is no longer bound by the school’s authority. He no longer has to do the things the school requires. He is now considered an adult, with adult freedoms and responsibilities. He really isn’t welcome to go back and act as a student any longer.

Christ has in effect, given us our diploma. We’re now alumni, not students. To continue to act as students will hinder our progression to the life the school was intended to prepare us for. To go back under the Law will have the same effect on our Christian life. In effect, it denies our salvation.