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Galatians 3:24-27; Luke 10:25-29; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:17-18
Audio file is at the end of this text.
You can't work your way into heaven. You might think it satisfying when you put your head on your pillow at night to count up all the good things you did that day and compare yourself others. It might make you feel good about yourself because you know others could not possibly have done as many good deeds today as you did and you know for sure you're better than the people in jail.
This is what we tend to do, we tend to judge our good works against the work of others. Romans 3:10 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." Ecclesiastes 7:20 says. "There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins." So all of our effort to earn our way to God or work our way into heaven is wasted energy.
Here in Galatians 3:24-27, Paul is teaching that Jesus came to save us from the law since generations had proved that humans simply cannot stick to the rules. Adam and Eve started the downward path and until Jesus came, we were stuck in our failure. This passage says that the law was to protect us from ourselves just like an adult protects a child. The Message translation reads,
"The law was like those Greek tutors, with which you are familiar, who escort children to school and protect them form danger or distraction, making sure the children will really get to the place they set our for. But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Chirst was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe -- Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise."
This faith we put on then changes everything and we don't need the law to save us from ourselves, we only need Christ. Trusting Christ is what takes you to heaven. Trust not work; faith not law.
Following "the law" was the way of Judaism. The law started with the Ten Commandments then grew into over 600 laws and out of this big list, Jesus made it clear that we are to focus our lives on just two. But, they might not be considered law because they are very hard to define and some might say too big to pin down.
Look at Deuteronomy 6:5. There it says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Leviticus 19:18 says, "...love your neighbor as yourself."
So Paul says, the era of the law is over and Christ has changed everything. So how are we to live if the law is thrown out? Turn to Luke 10:25-28. Here Jesus is confronted by a religious law expert. This man was trying to trap Jesus so he asked, "How do I get eternal life?" Jesus knew the man knew the law so Jesus said, "What do you think?"
The man recited Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 and Jesus said, "Good answer. Do it and you'll live."
Most of us in this room realize that without God's power working in our lives, we can't do the only two things Jesus requires. You cannot work your way into heaven but faith and trust will take you there.
