In part two we came to the conclusion that many people are living according to a self-devised system of laws that they believe will make them acceptable to God. Basically that system of laws convinces them that they are good people and that God will acknowledge their goodness in obedience to their self -devised system. This is just the opposite of what the true law reveals about human beings. 

The true law reveals the sinfulness of man. It is a whole unit that reveals the nature of a Holy God and the fact that man is unable to live accordingly. The true law of God was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. (Gal 3:24) In their culture the schoolmaster exercised a general supervision over a child in the area of training and disciplining. His purpose was not to impart knowledge, but was a guardian over the child. Sometimes the schoolmaster was a slave who escorted the children to school and had oversight over their behavior at home. They were often times strict with their discipline, having authority over them even up to the age of eighteen. 

Under the Old Testament law the Jewish nation was under the schoolmaster to bring them to Christ. As for us, if we attempt to live under the law it should drive us in the same direction toward Christ. Because “cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (Gal 3:10) But“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us…”(Gal 3:13) “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”(II Cor 5:21)  “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh: He condemned sin in the flesh. that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us…(Rom 8:3,4)

Like Israel we stand between two mountains; one is a curse and one is blessing. We must make a choice. The law only condemns and cannot impart life to anyone. Devising your own rules and living accordingly does not produce the righteousness required by God either. It will only lead to eternal damnation. Eternal life simply comes by God’s “grace through faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Eph 2:8,9) You stand between the two mountains. You can try to climb the mountain of law and never arrive or you can trust in the mountain of grace and let God carry you up. It’s your choice.