August 6, 2025

NO NEED FOR A MEDIATOR

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise. Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.”

Galatians 3:18-20 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

If we could earn our salvation (our “inheritance”) by obeying the law, then God’s promise to Abraham would mean nothing. But it wasn’t earned—it was given. Grace always precedes performance.

“Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins.”

Key point: The law wasn’t a Plan B—it had a purpose: to expose our sin. Without the law, we don’t realize we’re broken. It doesn’t fix us—it reveals the need for a Savior.

“But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised…”

Key point: The law was temporary, pointing forward to Jesus, the promised One. Once He came, grace fulfilled what the law could only foreshadow.

“God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people… But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.”

Key point: God’s promise to Abraham was direct—personal, without a go-between. But the law came through a mediator (Moses), showing it was a different kind of covenant—less intimate, less ultimate.

I have often thought of the relationship between the law and grace like my mirror and razor. Every morning the mirror shows me I need to shave. It reveals specific areas that need attention. This revealed information drives me to get my razor and shave my face.

I would look foolish trying to shave with the mirror. The mirror can’t remove the hair that needs to be trimmed. Its job is to drive me to the razor.

The law can’t make me right with God. The law shows me that I need God’s grace in my life. The law is good—it reveals where I am bad. That motivates me to lean by faith into the grace of God. 

Trying to fix our sin with the law is like trying to shave with a mirror. It’s absurd and harmful—and that’s what Paul says the Judaizers were doing.

Summary:

• The law is not bad; it’s good—but limited.

• It was never meant to save you, only to show your need for a Savior.

• Grace, not law, brings the inheritance God promised.

• Knowing the law helps us grow in grace, because it constantly reveals where we still need Jesus.

• Thank God for both: the law that reveals, and the grace that redeems.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Father, thank You for the law that reveals my sin, and for Your grace that cleanses it. Jesus, thank You for fulfilling the law and offering me the inheritance I could never earn. Holy Spirit, empower me to live by faith, trusting in Your grace more and more each day. Amen.

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