But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.
(Galatians 3:22-24, NASB)
Everyone sins. Everyone. Try as you might not to, you still sin. A burst of anger at another driver. A lustful thought. A momentary envy.
Everyone sins.
And before “faith came,” that is, faith in Jesus Christ, mankind was “kept in custody under the law.” Think of that word, custody. Being under the “immediate charge and control” (Webster’s Dictionary). If a person wanted to be righteous, he had to give himself entirely to the Law.
In addition, the Law was the “tutor,” by which people learned what to do—and what not to do—to find atonement. In other words, the Law told mankind how to behave in order to find favor with Creator God.
Can you imagine? Having to watch every single thing you said and did. Every thought. Wondering if you missed something. Did something. Thought something. Anything that might make you lose God’s favor.
What a sad, difficult way to live. And without a once-for-all sacrifice, that’s how we would live.
But stay tuned, tomorrow, we’ll see yet again that there’s another way!
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