Before the Law: The Promise that Changes Everything – Sermon – Pastor Dave Page

Let’s start with a question: What does it mean to have a covenant with God?

Is it just a fancy word for a contract, or is there something deeper? This passage challenges us to think about how Jesus’ new covenant shapes our identity, our freedom, and our relationship with God. It invites us to ask ourselves: Are we living in the reality of this new covenant, or are we still trying to earn God’s love through our own efforts?

Let’s talk about this idea of a covenant for a moment. A covenant, especially from a biblical perspective, is not just a simple agreement or transaction. It is a binding promise, a deep commitment, and a relationship that is rooted in trust, loyalty, and love. In fact, covenants are often described as a way of establishing family-like bonds between two parties. When God makes a covenant, He isn’t merely agreeing to do something for us under certain conditions—He is entering into a relationship with us that reflects His character and His unchanging faithfulness.

Now, let’s contrast that with a contract, which, in human terms, is a legally binding agreement that is typically based on performance and conditions. A contract is often entered into with the understanding that if one party doesn’t hold up their end of the deal, the agreement can be broken or nullified. For example, if one side fails to fulfill their obligations, the other party has legal grounds to end the contract or seek compensation. Contracts are temporary and transactional by nature; they often serve the purpose of exchanging goods, services, or promises for specific actions or outcomes. The relationship in a contract is usually conditional, based on the performance of both parties.

But when it comes to God’s covenants, there’s a key difference: they are eternal and unconditional. God’s covenants don’t depend on our ability to fulfill our end of the bargain perfectly. Think about the covenant God made with Noah after the flood—God promised never to destroy the earth again with a flood, and He set the rainbow in the sky as a sign of that covenant. That promise wasn’t conditional on Noah or anyone else behaving a certain way; it was purely God’s faithfulness at work. Similarly, the covenant God made with Abraham, even though it involved Abraham’s descendants, was not a “you do this, and I’ll do that” agreement. It was a commitment based on God’s character, not human performance.

This is where we see the beauty of Jesus’ new covenant. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross established a covenant that is the fulfillment of all the previous covenants in Scripture. It’s not a contract we can break by failing to meet certain standards. Instead, it’s God’s final, unbreakable promise to His people. When Jesus declared, “It is finished,” He was not just signaling the end of His work on the cross, but the completion of the ultimate covenant—one that doesn’t rely on our ability to live up to a contract, but on His perfect, unchanging faithfulness.

In this new covenant, Jesus’ sacrifice is the fulfillment of everything the old covenants pointed to. His blood was shed not because of any action we had to perform, but because of God’s grace and love toward us. Jesus guarantees the covenant, and His sacrifice is the seal that assures us that no matter what, nothing can separate us from God’s love.

Understanding the difference between a covenant and a contract helps us see why Jesus’ new covenant is so powerful. It’s not temporary; it’s eternal. It’s not based on our ability to follow the rules or live up to expectations; it’s based entirely on God’s character, His love, and His faithfulness. This means the promise of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life is secure—because it’s rooted in who God is, not in what we do. Jesus didn’t come to offer us a contract with terms and conditions we have to meet; He came to offer us a covenant of grace, a relationship with God that we cannot break, no matter how imperfect we are.

I. God’s Unchanging Promise (Verses 15-18)

Paul uses an everyday example to explain covenants—which takes us back to Abraham again. Paul teaches that when God made a promise to Abraham, it was a permanent, unbreakable covenant. It wasn’t based on rules or laws, but on God’s faithfulness, and it ultimately pointed to Jesus.

Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

Think about a will written by a loving parent for their children. Once it’s finalized, no one can change it. The inheritance is guaranteed. In the same way, God’s covenant with Abraham is secure, and through Jesus, we become part of that inheritance.

The significance of this promise is that it wasn’t dependent on human effort. The covenant wasn’t a two-way agreement where both parties had to contribute equally—it was a one-sided promise from God. God alone established it, and He alone fulfills it. The same is true with Jesus. Our salvation isn’t something we negotiate or achieve through works; it is a gift given through God’s grace.

As Paul points out in another of his letters – Ephesians 2:8-9 –

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Here’s another important thing to note about God’s covenant. This covenant was made long before the law was given. The law, which came 430 years later, didn’t replace or override God’s promise. This is a crucial distinction. The covenant God made with Abraham wasn’t conditional on anything Abraham or his descendants would do—it was a promise rooted in God’s character and faithfulness. It wasn’t about following rules or performing perfectly; it was about believing in God’s ability to fulfill His word. The law that came much later, through Moses, wasn’t the means of securing salvation. It didn’t cancel out or override the promise God made to Abraham—it came to serve a different purpose.

The law was not meant to be the foundation of salvation. The law exposed humanity’s inability to fully keep God’s standards, but it didn’t provide the solution. It highlighted the need for grace, for something greater than human effort, and ultimately pointed to the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus. The law set boundaries and helped guide the people, but it couldn’t save them. Salvation has always been about trusting in God’s promise, His covenant, and His grace. Even when humanity falls short, God’s faithfulness remains unchanged.

So, what does this mean for us today? It means we can rest in the security of God’s unchanging promise. Our salvation doesn’t depend on our ability to follow a set of rules or to be perfect. If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your salvation, wondering if you’ve done enough or if God still loves you despite your mistakes, take heart. The truth is that our salvation is never about our performance or our efforts. It’s rooted in God’s faithfulness and His grace. It’s a promise He made long before we could do anything to earn it, and it’s a promise He’ll never break.

If you have put your faith in Jesus, you are part of that eternal promise. God’s covenant is a lasting promise, not a temporary one. It’s secure, unshakeable, and it’s built on the rock of God’s unchanging love. Nothing can separate you from that. No failure, no mistake, no circumstance in your life can change God’s commitment to you. The covenant is based on God’s faithfulness, not yours.

II. Why Was the Law Given? (Verses 19-25)

If the promise to Abraham was enough, why did God give the law? Paul explains that the law was put in place to show people their sin until Jesus came. It was never meant to save anyone—it was like a temporary guardian leading us to Christ.

Romans 3:20 – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.”

Think about a mirror—it shows you when you have dirt on your face, but it doesn’t clean you. That’s exactly what the law does. It reveals our sin, but it can’t remove it. Only Jesus can do that.

The law had its purpose, but it was never the end goal. Jesus came to bring something better—a covenant not based on rules but on faith and grace. That’s why we no longer live under the law but under the freedom of Christ.

Romans 10:4 – “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”

The law also acts like a tutor, guiding people toward understanding their need for a Savior. Before Jesus, people were bound by the law, unable to break free from their failures and shortcomings. The law set a standard that no one could fully meet, proving that righteousness could never be achieved through human effort.

Think of a safety rail on the side of a mountain road. It’s there to protect you from falling off the edge, but it’s not the road itself. In the same way, the law was a guide to keep people from straying too far until Jesus came to fulfill God’s promise and open the way for direct access to Him.

III. Jesus Brings a New Identity (Verses 26-29)

Because of Jesus, we are now full members of God’s family. Our identity isn’t based on race, status, or gender. Paul says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Imagine being invited to an exclusive event where everyone gets VIP access—no special treatment, no higher ranks—just full inclusion. That’s what it’s like in the family of God. No one is more important than another. Through Jesus, we all have equal access to God’s grace.

This truth has major implications for how we live and interact with others. No one is more deserving of God’s love than another. We are all equal before Him, and that should be reflected in how we treat each other. The divisions that once separated people—race, social status, gender—are torn down in Christ. We are one family, united by faith, and heirs to the promise God made to Abraham.

This part of Paul’s argument to the Galatians reminds us that God’s covenant has always been about faith, not law. The law helped us see our need for a Saviour, but Jesus came to fulfill the promise and bring us into a new relationship with God.

As we move to the communion table today, we should consider the following:

Application Points:

1. Living in Daily Dependence on Jesus (Bread) – Just as we need food to sustain our bodies, we need Jesus to sustain our souls. This means seeking Him in daily prayer, studying His Word, and living in community with other believers. Illustration: Just as an athlete trains daily to stay strong, we must spiritually nourish ourselves daily to grow in Christ. Not because any religious rules say so but because we want to grow our relationship with our Saviour.
2. Extending Grace to Others (Cup) – As Jesus’ blood was poured out for our forgiveness, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others. Holding onto bitterness only weighs us down. Illustration: Imagine carrying a heavy backpack everywhere you go. Unforgiveness is like that burden. When we forgive, we set ourselves free. Jesus came and died so that you might be free!

His sacrifice sealed the promise and made a way for us to live freely in full relationship with God. As we take the bread and the cup today, reflect on the gift of grace we have received and perhaps recommit ourselves to walking in the freedom of Christ. Let this be a moment of gratitude, surrender, and renewed faith in the unshakable covenant we have through Jesus.