Paul preached a liberating Gospel. So, we must be careful not to return to the dead end of the past, but set our hearts and minds towards the future.

Our future is in God’s complete plan. We all used to live for other things. So, Paul repeats his concern that we are not to turn again from the grace of Christ to a different works-based gospel.

God has guaranteed our inheritance. The moment we were born again, we went from being slaves to the law, to being sons of God through Christ. And, because Christ secured our salvation, we are heirs of God, and placed in God’s family.

The Christian life is marked by joy.  God redeemed us, who were held captive by the law, and the rules of this world. God was just in time when He sent His Son Jesus, who sets us free, and gives us new life in Him.

We, as human beings, cannot be trusted to properly evaluate ourselves before God's standards. We have a tendency to justify our own position, and our actions.  God declared us “just” based on what Christ did on the cross.

The law cannot do what a promise can do. God always fulfills His promises, while the law cannot encourage us, embrace us, assist us, save us, or give us hope.

The law is not against the promises of God, but points us towards the Gospel. The law was given by God to unveil, unmask, and remove the charade of our self-righteousness, and to prepare us to meet Christ.

The law is not greater than the promises of God. The law was added to intensify a person’s sinfulness, while shining a light on God’s holiness. We are all confined under our sin and guilt, so that the promises of God can be given to those who believe.

The law didn’t go against God’s promises, rather, it complemented the Gospel. The law did govern, instruct, and enlighten the people. But, it is only God’s promises that brings spiritual life to all who believe.

The law was meant to magnify our weaknesses, and expose our frailties. And, so having been overwhelmed by our sin, we are driven to the foot of the cross, as we cry out to the Lord to save us.