Today's readings are Judges 15.1-16.3 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Judges+15.1-16.3 ) and Galatians 3.23-4.11 ( http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/search/?q=Gal.+3.23-4.11 ).
In Galatians 3 we read more about the nature of our custody to the Law. Think of it as protective custody. Apart from Christ, God has given us his Law and held us captive by it. We try to disobey and find at least some level of restraint because of the Law. In Christ, the same Law applies but there are some fundamental changes. First, we are given a desire to obey God. I recall the difference between a city dog and a country dog. The city dog needs a leash because otherwise it will run away and harm itself. The country dog may have a leash but it doesn't matter since the dog spends all day lying on the porch. In Christ we become the country dog who does not desire to bolt and run. We are at home in God's household and wish to stay. Second, we realize the implications of God's law. He doesn't just condemn actions, but attitudes as well. The prison bars can guard our actions but do nothing about our attitudes. Only God's Spirit does something about our attitudes. A third way that God uses his Law in us is by our distinctiveness in our culture. What of the situation when we can openly tell our unbelieving neighbor that we choose to do something in a particular way because it's a way the Lord has revealed in Scripture? What of the time when we point out that we are guarding our thought life because it matters to our Lord? We are a peculiar people, set apart for God's praise. Free from the Law, by the Gospel we are partakers of Christ's obedience to the Law.
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