The letter Paul wrote to the Galatians had much written in it that carried a lot substance. Unfortunately, some of that substance has been and can be taken the wrong way and hurt many people. So, we want to take a look at it very plainly and be sure we can make some sense out of a couple verses.
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We’ll begin or focus on one verse in particular. Obviously, Paul had a dispute in the church of Galatia regarding the keeping of the law. The debate was (and sometimes is today) do Christians have to keep the law?
This is a rather open ended question. What law is the next question? Most Christians do not understand there were two sets of laws. Let us read to get a better understanding of this!
Galatians 3
19 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.
The question here ask, why serve the law? In other words, why keep the law? Again, Paul doesn’t clarify plainly what “law” he is speaking of. Nevertheless, he will as we continue dissecting his writing. Paul says, “it” was added because of transgressions.
“It” … refers to what? The law! The law was added because of transgressions. Transgressions is sin. It says so in First John chapter 3
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Allow us to make sense of what we’re reading in Galatians chapter 3 and verse 19 … it says, “wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions…”
If sin is the breaking of the law, this means a separate law was already in place. Therefore, we have two laws. Stay with me here because it can get confusing.
Animal Sacrifice – It Was Added Because of Transgressions
Paul says (and I will paraphrase), why serve the law, it was added because of “people breaking the commandments (laws), until the seed (Jesus) should come to whom the promise was made.
The law of animal sacrifice was added because of sin, until Jesus came to whom the promise was made. Now that Jesus has come, died, and resurrected; we should not serve the law of animal sacrifice.
Why?
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Animal sacrifice was only a schoolmaster to lead and/or lend us to what Jesus the Messiah would do for us. Therefore, if we continue in the law (of animal sacrifice), we are no longer exercising faith in Jesus, but in the law (of animal sacrifice).
Does that make sense?
The classic comparison to this scripture for us today, is the law of the red light. Because of sinning against the red light, another law was added. This law is the law of the $100 ticket. It was added because of constant breaking of the law… UNTIL He who comes will pay all balances and fines on OUR behalf.
It Was Added Because of Transgressions
Now if we continue to run the red lights (which we will on occasions) and we avoid praying for forgiveness and having Christ pay the fine for us, if we instead we pay our $100 ticket by ourselves, we exercise no faith in Him.*
Therefore, the law of animal sacrifice was added because of transgressions, and it is what we need not serve anymore, but the law of God, the covenant, the Commandments, are indeed to be adhered to. I pray this is received well.
If not please reread, and if still not clear, pray and send us an email. Praise God in Jesus name.
* This was an example. If you run a red light in the world today you are obligated to pay your fines according to the laws of the municipal you reside in. Jesus has paid all debts as it pertains to sin, not your legal obligations to your governments and municipals.
