The Law in the Light of Grace
On the Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
Dr. Vince McLaughlin’s Teaching Manuscript:
Galatians 3:16-19
Excerpt from Homily Notes:
St. Paul in this passage begins to unfold the ‘why’ of the Law in the light of God’s Amazing Grace.
Utilizing the example of Father Abraham being given the promise of Redemptive, Restorative, and Reconciliation Grace through his Seed Yeshua, he begins to outline the marvelous understandings of God’s Grace. Every aspect of St. Paul’s argument utilized in this passage has a firm foundation in Hebrew-Judean principles of the Law.
Before the way of redemptive faith in Christ was made available to us, we were placed under guard or tutorship by the Law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.
Let me suggest another way to assist our understanding. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith in Christ and now that the way of redemptive faith has come, we no longer need the Law as our guardian.
(Continued: Click link in this post for the rest of the notes!)
Notes from Bishop Vince about the Thirteenth Sunday After Trinity:
The Collect Reading for today is:
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle Reading is taken from Galatians iii. 16.
TO Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
The Gospel of St. Luke 10:23 ff:
BLESSED are the eyes which see the things that ye see: for I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.