Some Christian leaders propose that now that Christians have attained deliverance away from divine condemnation by means of entrusting in Jesus, then in order to go on, live a godly life and attain the highest standards of godliness day-by-day, Christians should now turn to the written codes of divine Law. They should turn to the written codes of the Sinai Covenant, where we find the Ten Commandments for example, to spur them on to avoid sin and encourage holiness.
Here is Paul’s response to such a suggestion. ‘I wonder and marvel that in this manner you are quickly changing sides and transferring away from your summons within the Messiah’s free gift, penetrating into a different kind 7 that is absolutely not another good message. If whether there are some who are disturbing you and wish to corrupt the good news of the Messiah. 8 But even if we or a messenger from out of heaven proclaim good news to you alongside that good news we announced to you, let him be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so even at this moment I say, ‘If anyone is announcing good news to you beside what you received, let him be accursed!’’, (Galatians 1 v 6 – 9). Then, after defending his reputation, authority and integrity and that of the Apostles and the gospel message, he repeats the gospel which says that Christians are delivered from condemnation by faith, not by observing the written codes of the Law. Then he says, ‘O unthinking Galatians! Who has begun and continues to fascinate you not to be having confidence and trust the truth - that eyes down Jesus the Messiah announced as crucified? 2 I merely desire to learn this from you, did you receive the Breath [Pneuma] by means of working energies of Law, or by hearing confident entrustment? 3 Are you so thoughtless? Breath [Pneuma] beginning to make complete, [but] now at this present time, flesh? 4 Did you have so much heavy emotion without purpose, if indeed also without purpose? 5 Therefore, the supply of the Breath [Pneuma] to you and active power within you - from out of actions of Law or from out of hearing entrustment?’ (Galatians 3 v 1 – 6).
Paul does not hold back. He says that a core aspect of the gospel is being undermined. Once again he contrasts the written codes of the Law on one hand, with hearing and persuasion, and with the Breath of God and God’s Son on the other hand. He places these in opposition to each other. If Christians turn to the written codes of Law in their attempt to attain godliness day-by-day, they are entrusting in their own energies and efforts to maintain judicial approval. They are entrusting their own flesh and the energies inherent within their human constitution. This means that they are taking a step backwards. The written codes of divine law are working down settled anger, not godliness.
