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
There are 613 laws that Jews try to follow. Those laws are very difficult to follow. But they are a tutor, or a schoolmaster that brings us to Christ. In Christ we are justified, which means, just if I never sinned. I’d much rather follow Jesus. He said if we Love God and Love people, all of the laws and the prophets are summed up in these.
I remember first hearing this verse quoted when a pastor friend of mine was sharing about how he’d been raised a Buddhist. He said that he couldn’t be a good Buddhist. When he converted to Christianity and started living under Grace, it really set him free from trying to focus on living so good all the time, and following all of the Buddhist laws. The main difference he said was Jesus. In Buddhism, he had all the laws in his head and he tried to follow them. But as a Christian, he said that because Jesus was living inside of him, he just wanted to live a godly life, it became his new nature. He didn’t have to strive to be good, because he was a new creation in Christ Jesus.
Whether it be Jewish laws, Buddhist laws, Islamic Laws, or any other set of religious rules, the good news is that Jesus has come, and brought in a Better covenant. A relationship based on His Grace. And for anyone who’s been striving to live up to a set of laws, that’s good news.
Lord, I thank you for your amazing Grace. Your Grace is unending, overflowing, empowering, re-assuring, and unfailing. May my life reflect your Grace in all that I do. In Jesus name, Amen.