Galatians 3:21
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

“Beginning with 2 Corinthians 1:20 recognize that there is not just one promise. Are we clear about all the promises of God?” (quote from yesterday)

If we only focus on the abundant life in terms of what God can and is doing in us, we will miss the purpose behind those promises. This is similar but not exactly like receiving a gift without ever opening it until you have received all the gifts. The promises of God are fulfilled one at a time. When we are born again we enter into this new life in Christ and it is hard to see what that first promise is that is given immediately.

There is a lot of information between John 3:3 and Galatians 3:21 and we have a lot to learn and we struggle with making sense of it all.  Galatians 3:21 brings into focus what the law could not do that placing our faith in Christ, becoming born again, achieves.

Easton’s Bible dictionary does not give a definition of righteousness and refers us to justification. Other sources focus on the issue of right thinking, wanting to do right, to be right, in a manner which is not self-righteous.

Because there is this concern about being right without being self-righteous, then our only hope is in the declarative state of justification in which God places us in a position of right standing before God based on what Christ has done and not anything we have done ourselves.

That ties justification and righteousness together in a way that implies one thing is done for us and the other is done to us. Once we place our faith in Christ we are justified, done for us and we are found righteous, done in us. But how can righteousness be found in us?

Philippians 3:9

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

We are found in Christ and His righteousness becomes our righteousness because Christ abides with us.

2 John 1:9

Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

What are we being taught?

• 2 Corinthians 1:20
  For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1
  Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
• Galatians 3:21
  Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.

Beginning with 2 Corinthians 1:20 recognize that there is not just one promise. Are we clear about all the promises of God?

Secondly see that a yes can only be found in Christ Jesus. Apart from Jesus we cannot receive those promises. Amen in that verse could be read as “I agree with you Father God.”

In the second verse we discover that we have to make the effort in order for those promises of God to be activated in us. It is similar but not exactly the same as a lamp in a dark room where we have to flip the switch in order for the source of electricity to be connected to the light bulb.

In our house there are five light switches by the front door. We only see which switch works in what area by testing them over and over again until we learn which switch works in the right area.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

If we feel ashamed of ourselves we will hide our faces from God just like Adam did. It isn’t as easy as flipping a switch but one of those switches might be attached to confession and repentance. That also is one of God’s promises.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 If being selfish isn’t working out, flip the switch.