June 21st Reflection by Bill Lynch

Galatians 3:23–29

Now before faith came, we were imprisoned and guarded under the law until faith would be revealed. Therefore the law was our disciplinarian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer subject to a disciplinarian, for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Reflection
First we had the law. The law to lead and guide us and protect us. Laws set up by God to keep us on the path. Laws that led us to faith in Christ. When we are freed from the law by faith in Christ we are given new life. This freedom does not set the law aside. The law remains good and right. We are free from law in such a way that we need not strive for perfection. Perfection comes with Jesus and with Jesus we place all of our hope and trust. Jesus is the perfection of the law.

So, through faith, we put on the new clothes of baptism. We are new and we are claimed as Children of God who live by faith in what Jesus has done for us in order that the law be fulfilled. The law is fulfilled through Jesus, not by our actions. So, in faith we respond to this grace from God through Jesus by following Jesus and keeping the law in freedom.

We find ourselves as little children totally dependent on God in Christ for life. We have all become one on an even playing field that unites us in Christ. By faith you are saved through grace. This is not our own doing, but a gift from God --- not a result of works so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2).

Prayer
Father, thank you for the law. Thank you for the guidance and love you have shown your people through the gift of the law. Jesus, thank you for being the fulfillment of the law and the perfect keeper that frees us from our sinful selves and frees us from the law as a disciplinarian and gives us the law as a source of life through you. Through you, Lord Jesus, we are one... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen