So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. — Galatians 3:24.
Galatians repeatedly reminds us that no law can make us righteous or save us, not even the Old Testament Law. However, the law (Torah) does several essential things.
- The law leads us to Christ, who fulfills and embodies what God intended for his law to do in his people (Matthew 5:17-20). Jesus shows us what God wants his law to look like when we obey it.
- The law helps us recognize right and wrong, the value of a person, and how God defines a person, marriage, and righteous, as well as unrighteous behaviors.
We recognize our failures, imperfections, sins, transgressions, and weaknesses, and through the law, our need for a Savior. Praise God for the Torah, God’s law that shows us the righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful justice that he displays and desires us to live. Praise God a hundred times more for Jesus, who fulfilled the law’s righteous demands and gave himself as the perfect sacrifice for sins!