Galatians 3:21-25

Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.  But the scripture imprisoned everything under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—to those who believe. Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed.  Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.  But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

In Matthew 5:17 Jesus says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” This scripture does a great job of describing the law as a guardian who held us in custody in anticipation of Christ Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, the law was paramount, yet there is consistent evidence that God desired Israel to be more than “rule-followers”. The Holy Spirit is the fulfillment of God’s promise to write the law on our hearts – and that relationship is made possible by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone. Jesus is the Master and in Him we, who were once dead in our transgressions, are able to inherit eternal life.