Galatians 3:24

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

When we first learned to play golf, most of us hit two or three balls off the tee, moved the ball out from behind trees, took a free drop from where the ball went out of bounds and picked up every putt within ten feet. We then wrote down a bogey on our scorecard without any shame. At the end of the day, we would tell others we shot a 92, but could’ve been much better. As we became more experienced, we realized playing under our contrived loosened rules that we did not truly know if we improved because our previous scores were based upon mulligans, free drops and “gimme” putts. When we finally decided to play by the real rules, we realized our true skill level and the areas of our game in need of improvement. The law was given to man to serve as a school master and for him to realize how we often come up short day to day. Even though the law did not entail a saving knowledge, its rites, sacrifices and ceremonies provided a hint toward Christ. The sacrifices provided a regular but insufficient form of repentance. Just as children graduate from formalized schooling under teachers, the law made man realize that true justification is by and through faith in Jesus Christ only. When we live under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit, He gives us daily instruction for our paths and also conviction of when we act contrary to His will. This indwelling of the Holy Spirit provides the standard for our living! Unlike in golf when we have to refer to a confusing USGA rule book and imposing two shot penalties, the Holy Spirit directs the believer by offering guidance and mercy with “free drops” when we are justified by the blood!