Pope Francis discussed the teachings of St. Paul’s Apostle on the value of law in his lectures on the principles of public interviews. The Pope pointed out that the essence of the law is to lead us to Christ, and it is Christ that justifies us.
(Vatican News Network) On the morning of August 18th, Pope Francis presided over the Wednesday public reception at the Paul VI Hall, and continued to reflect on the role of the Apostle Saint Paul in the “Galada” in the “Galada”. The Pope pointed out that the law and the Ten Commandments of God must be obeyed, but it is Christ who justifies us. The essence of the law is to lead us to Christ.
The Pope mentioned that St. Paul called the law “like an enlightenment” in the Book of Galata. In the ancient school system, the enlightener was “a slave who was responsible for sending the master’s child to the teacher and then taking him home.” He must protect students from danger and supervise them. The role of the enlightenment teacher is “equivalent to discipline”. Once the child grows up, this duty ceases.
Therefore, the Apostle St. Paul said: “When was the heir still a child. Although he was the master of all the family properties, he was no different from the slave. He remained under the authority of the guardian and the agent until the deadline set by the father. When we were children before, we were under the right of education in this world” (Ga 4:1-3).
The Pope explained: “In short, the Apostle Paul is convinced that the law undoubtedly has its positive effects, but there is a time limit. It cannot last longer than the limit, because it is closely related to the maturity of people and their freedom of choice. Belief. Once it comes, the law will completely end its preparatory value and must give way to another authority.”
After explaining the meaning of the image of the ancient enlightenment, the pope went on to point out that the Apostle Paul seemed to suggest that Christians divide the history of salvation into two moments, including his personal experience, that is, “before becoming a believer in Jesus Christ , And after accepting the faith. In the middle is the event of Jesus’ death and resurrection.” Starting from believing in Christ, facing the same law, there is a difference between “before” and “after”.
“The previous history was determined by the’under the law’; the subsequent history was to live according to the Holy Spirit (cf. Gala 5:25). Being’under the law’ is the first expression used by Paul, and its potential meaning is one This notion of negative submission is a typical behavior of slaves. The Apostle Paul clearly pointed out that if a person is under the law, he is subject to “custodial” and “imprisonment,” a preventive guardianship. Saint Paul said , This period of time lasts for a long time, as long as you live in sin, it will continue.”
“Because when we were still under the fleshly power, the lusts that were inclined to sin by the law moved in our limbs and bore the fruits of death. But now, we have died from the forces that bound us and escaped from the law. In this way, we should no longer stick to the old provisions, but serve God with a new mind” (Romans 7 5-6).
The Pope concluded by saying, “We should ask ourselves whether we are still living in a period when the law is needed, or are we clearly aware that we have been favored and become children of God to live in love”. “How do I live? I’m afraid I would go to hell if I didn’t do this? Or live out hope and live out the joy of salvation freely granted by Jesus Christ? This is a beautiful question. The second question and answer is also beautiful: I despise the commandment Commandments? No. I obey the commandments, but do not make them absolute, because I know that it is Jesus Christ who justifies me.”
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