The Law cannot interfere with the original promise.
Galatians 3:15-22 JB Phillips “Let me give you an everyday illustration, my brothers. Once a contract has been properly drawn up and signed, it is honoured by both parties, and can neither be disregarded nor modified by a third party. Now, a promise was made to Abraham and to his seed. (Note in passing that the scripture says not “and to seeds” but uses the singular ‘and to your seed’, meaning Christ.) I say then that the Law, which came into existence four hundred and thirty years later, cannot render null and void the original “contract” which God had made, and thus rob the promise of its value. For if the receiving of the promised blessing were now made to depend on the Law, that would amount to a cancellation of the original “contract” which God made with Abraham, as a promise. Where then lies the point of the Law? It was an addition made to underline the existence and extent of sin until the arrival of the “seed” to whom the promise referred. The Law was inaugurated in the presence of angels and by the hand of a human intermediary. The very fact that there was an intermediary is enough to show that this was not the fulfilling of the promise. For the promise of God needs neither angelic witness nor human intermediary but depends on him alone. Is the Law then to be looked upon as a contradiction of the promise? Certainly not, for if there could have been a law which gave men spiritual life then law would have produced righteousness (which would have been, of course, in full harmony with the purpose of the promise). But, as things are, the scripture has all men “imprisoned”, because they are found guilty by the Law, that to men in such condition might come to release all who believe in Jesus Christ.” END
Let us take something ‘Physical,’ to assist us to understand something ‘Spiritual.’ Engagement – Marriage, for there is a much fuller and deeper understanding in Marriage than there ever was in Courting, Engagement is a “Promise,” and Marriage is “The Fulfillment of the Promise,” or the reality of the relationship, that completeness, that oneness, Marriage is the reality of the Engagement Promise, those hopes and dreams and aspirations. Once Engaged, the reality of marriage is only found in words and symbols and concepts, 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” That which is worked towards, all the preparation and anticipation, it all starts a journey of a fuller reality within the Marriage Service, but then the relationship continually grows fuller and deeper every day, as one abides, fellowships, and interacts, learns so much more about their spouse, and falls deeper and deeper in love and appreciation and in adoration. Jesus has ‘Proposed Marriage to You,’ how did you respond, if you accepted his proposal, are you preparing to live with him in Heaven, are you living a pure and Godly life, or are you living adulterously, trying to live a godly life by the power of sin, or are you overcoming sin by the abundant “Grace” provided? Revelation 7:13-17 “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, what are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any-more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Romans 10:17 “So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
When one looks at Mt Sinai, and the 10-Commandments, the language is sprinkled with marriage terms, in essence Jesus is on the top of the mount all clothed in fire and glory, Moses is, the ‘Go Between,’ the one that brings the Bride to the Groom, the one that presents the Bride, introduces them to each other, and stands back and rejoices as his friend the Groom, takes his beloved to wife, and so starts a wonderful marriage. The 10-Commandments are the ‘Marriage Vows,’ the commitment, the guides that both parties agree to live by, and so married life starts out strong, but within a few short days, Israel is prostituting itself, ‘Golden Calf,’ and even worse, but worst of all, her new husband is on the mountain top right there, in essence, in the room right beside her, as she, Israel, takes on another lover, idolatry. Quote; “Quote; “Adam and Eve, at their creation, had a knowledge of the law of God; they were acquainted with its claims upon them; its precepts were written upon their hearts. When man fell by transgression the law was not changed, but a remedial system was established to bring him back to obedience. The promise of a Saviour was given, and sacrificial offerings pointing forward to the death of Christ as the great sin offering were established. But had the law of God never been transgressed, there would have been no death, and no need of a Saviour; consequently, there would have been no need of sacrifices.” {PP 364} Righteousness by Faith; faith commeth by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Word of God is Jesus Christ, Deuteronomy 6:5 “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Law – Grace; by grace are ye saved through faith, it is not of yourselves. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Malachi 3:6a “For I [am] the LORD, I change not;” Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.” God never changes, thus; “The Law cannot interfere with the original promise.”
