Today St Paul speaks to us about the Law and about faith in Christ. He sees the Law as our guardian until Christ comes. As our guardian, the Law protected us like military guards and held us in custody. It tells us the ‘oughts’ and the ‘shoulds,’ and clearly spells out the penalties of our sins. However, in God’s economy of grace, Christ comes and we are no longer justified by the strict observance of the Law; we are now justified by our faith in Christ.

What does our faith in Christ do for us? Our faith leads us to a change in status – from being condemned sinners, because of our inability to keep the Law perfectly – we became the children of God. Our union with Christ through baptism, ushers us into relationships that are no longer governed by race (Jew and Greek), social status (slave and free) and gender (male and female). These distinctions are now extinguished by our oneness in Christ Jesus. We now exist eternally as children of God; relate with one another as spiritual siblings; and can trace our historical heritage right up to Abraham.

Let us hold in balance the teachings of the Old and New Testaments, and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Through faithful reading, meditation, and diligent study of God’s Word, we will grow in discernment and wisdom; and will be enabled to live the holistic life that is pleasing to God, and builds up the Body of Christ.