WHY WAS THE LAW GIVEN?

In the third chapter of Galatians Paul makes it clear that the law is no more a rule for sanctification than it is a basis for justification. And he is speaking of the moral, not the ceremonial law as his quotations from Deuteronomy 27 indicate. If the law neither justifies nor sanctifies, what is its purpose? "Wherefore then serveth the law?" Paul specifically answers this question in two ways.

1. THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO CONVINCE MEN OF THEIR GUILT AND CONDEMNATION BECAUSE OF SIN. "It was added because of transgressions." "We know that what thingssoever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God." (Rom. 3:19)

2. AND THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO POINT US TO CHRIST. "The law was our schoolmaster unto Christ." The law foreshadowed Christ, both in its ceremonies and its precepts. It set forth his righteousness and his redemption. And the law showed us our need of Christ by showing our depravity, guilt, inability, and condemnation.

But now, having come to Christ by faith, we are free from the law, entirely free! We will not again be brought under its curse nor its bondage. Our only bonds are the bonds of love. Our only rule is the rule of faith.