Galatians 4-6
December 3, 2014


Do you know the difference between an altimeter and an elevator?  One tells you how high you are, and the other takes you to new heights.  

Thinking of today's reading, let's use the above items in an illustration:   Let's say heaven can be found on the "12th" floor of a building.   The law resembles the altimeter, it can tell you what height you are at now, and how much further you need to go....but no amount of use will ever elevate you a single inch.   In order to go up, you must board the elevator.   The elevator stands for faith in Jesus Christ.   For those of you who want to "take the stairs" or want to know "are there more than 12 floors, and other questions that have nothing to do with the illustration...just relax and enjoy the story.  Quit trying to ruin it.

Okay...  The law tells us what we need to do, and the whole of the law points to Jesus Christ.  The law was never given to make us pure or righteous, only to help us recognize that we were impure.  The second purpose of the law is to help us identify Jesus.    So, by carefully studying the law you will recognize that the "blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin".   The requirements of the law, even the sacrifices contained within it, were simply a foreshadowing of a much greater, and significant event that was to come.   Specifically, the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus.    When Christ died and was resurrected, there was no longer any need for the law, it had served it's purpose.    It had been "fulfilled".   The parts of the law that didn't specifically point to the sacrifice and the personal relationship with Jesus (the commandments, etc.) didn't expire, they simply are atoned for in a different way.

That is to say, we are still just as guilty of sin as we ever were, but the way that it is atoned for has now changed.   Circumcision was part of the adherence to the old law...it is now abolished.   You can still be circumcised, and there's nothing wrong with that at all.   But it won't get you into heaven.    A long time ago, before Christ came and died, circumcision would be required, just like the sacrifice of animals would be required.   But since Christ, they are no longer necessary.

So why is Paul so upset about it?   Simple.  The people are saying in effect that "Jesus is good, but we'd better hang onto this altimeter just in case"   Paul will have none of it.    Paul says "no one who tries to hang onto the past has any part of the future".  

The altimeter has served it's purpose.  Now we need the elevator.   Jesus is the elevator that gets us to heaven.   No other way,  No other Savior.


PR