The Law Tutoring People to Christ
 The ultimate ability of the law
of God is its capacity to tutor people to Christ. "Therefore the
law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor."
(Galatians 3:24-25)
It is the plan of God to
use His law to inform us about our great need for Jesus Christ. The
summaries of the law of God are: "be holy, be loving, be perfect."
The law demands that we be holy. We are convicted
that we are not holy. Thereby, the law is saying to us: "You need
Jesus Christ." The law requires that we be loving. We realize
that we do not love. Thereby, the law is declaring to us: "You
need Jesus Christ." The law insists that we be perfect. We know
that we are not perfect. Thereby, the law is announcing to us: "You
need Jesus Christ." In this process the law functions as tutor
(schoolmaster or child-trainer) instructing people of their need for that which
only Christ can provide through His grace.
Now that we have responded to the law's tutoring
work, we are no longer under the tutor. Now that we have placed our faith in
Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the law. "But after faith has
come, we are no longer under a tutor." Whereas we once were told by the law to be holy,
now we look to Christ for all personal holiness. "But of Him you are
in Christ Jesus, who became for us... righteousness
and sanctification" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Whereas we once were told by the law to be
loving, now we look to the Spirit of Christ for all the love that our lives are
to show forth. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love"
(Galatians 5:22). Whereas we once were told by the law to be
perfect, now we look to the Lord for all of the perfecting process. "Being
confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will
complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).
When we are suffering, it often feels as though
our pain will never end. But God's word gives us a wider perspective. In comparison
with eternity, our suffering would last only "a little while.'' Some of us
would be strengthened and delivered in our lifetimes. Others would be released
from their suffering through death. All of God's faithful followers are assured
of an eternal life with Christ where there will be no suffering (Revelation 21:4). "And the God of all grace, who called you
unto his eternal glory in Christ, after that ye have suffered a little while,
shall himself perfect, establish, strengthen you. To him be the dominion
for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10-11 |
Rev. Telema W. Okobi