THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – CHRISTMAS IX

LESSON: ROMANS 6:1-4

Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:23-27

The Apostle Paul observes an excellent flow of thought in this context. He says, “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian.” Why so? “In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” How does it come to pass that we become God’s children? “As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Christ is God’s child. Therefore, he who clothes himself in God’s child, is also God’s child, for he steps forth as God’s adopted child, which certainly makes him God’s child. If he is God’s child, he is not under the subjection of the Law, in the position of an abject slave, but free. When we put on Christ in baptism His righteousness becomes our righteousness, and thus all the claims that the Law can make on us are fulfilled, and we are now God’s free children in Christ.

SL.XII.265,51
AE 76,15

PRAYER: In your mercy and peace, O Lord, you have freed us from the curse of the Law and made us your free children in Christ. For this we praise and thank you, and ask your grace so that we may always serve you in the freedom wherewith you have made us free. Amen.