September 12, 2012 Eternal Protector

Eternal Protector Galatians 3:23-25 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. WHEN you were young, I hope your parents told you, “Be safe and be home early.” Likely your response was “Ah, can’t I stay out an hour longer?” But your parents held firm, and you were safe. But did you get more freedom as you matured? Certainly today you have the freedom to safely determine your own hours. You have matured in your decision making. You were safe in growing up. Your parents guided you to good decisions, and you are free now as a mature adult. That’s a bit of the picture Paul draws as he relates God’s “law to faith” process to bring you freedom in Jesus Christ. God introduced his law to protect his people in their new life out of Egypt. They needed protection from their sin, so he defined sin to them. He set their limits. He “imprisoned them” in the sense your parents imprisoned you with a curfew. He wanted to keep them safe as he taught them right from wrong. The law pointed to their sin, and to mankind’s need for a Savior. No one was perfect in the law. Now Jesus has fulfilled the law, releasing you to the freedom of faith. As you believe in Jesus, he is your “supervisor” and protector. By your faith in Jesus, you can “go out at night”. But you probably don’t want to. You like being at home with Jesus. It’s True! God is your eternal protector.