August 7, 2025

THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE LAW AND PROMISE

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 3:21-22 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Paul begins with a rhetorical question:

“Is there a conflict between God’s law and God’s promises?”

This is a strategic moment. Paul knows his readers might be confused.

“If God gave us both the law and the promise, are they working against each other?”

His answer is emphatic:

“Absolutely not!”

In Greek, the phrase is mē genoito — meaning “Never! God forbid! May it never be!”

This is not contradiction—this is coordination. God’s law and promises are not enemies; they work together to reveal our need and point us to His solution.

Three Key Truths from Paul:

1. The Law Cannot Give Life

“If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.”

The law regulates behavior—but it can’t resurrect the heart. It shows us what righteousness looks like, but it cannot produce righteousness in us.

If law-keeping could save us, then:

• Jesus’ death would be unnecessary.

• The cross would be pointless.

But Jesus did die, which proves that salvation comes by grace, not law.

 The law points to the standard. Jesus meets the standard.

2. The Law Reveals Our Sin

“Scripture declares that we are all prisoners of sin…”

There’s no conflict between the law and the promise because they have different jobs:

• The law diagnoses the disease.

• The promise delivers the cure.

The law doesn’t make us sinners; it exposes the sin already in us. Like an X-ray, it shows what’s wrong beneath the surface, but it can’t heal.

Grace, revealed through Jesus’ death, is what cleanses us.

3. We Are All Prisoners of Sin—Until We Believe

We are not just people who make mistakes. We are captive to sin—bound, trapped, and unable to escape on our own.

You don’t need better behavior—you need freedom.

That freedom only comes through faith in Jesus.

• Not through trying harder.

• Not through religious effort.

• Not through spiritual performance.

Jesus breaks the prison bars, forgives the guilt, and gives new life to the soul.

Key Thoughts:

The law shows you the prison.

Grace gives you the key.

Faith walks you out.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You for the law that reveals my sin, and for Your cross that removes it. Thank You for freedom and forgiveness, for bringing life where there was only death. Help me live by faith in Your grace—not in myself. Amen.

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