It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery…You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Galatians 5:1, 4–5 (NIV)

Ever had something break just outside its warranty period? Or perhaps you’ve felt the relief of being able to claim a warranty just in time?

When something goes wrong under warranty, the manufacturer, as the guarantor, decides what to do about it. It’s not our responsibility! For the warranty to be actioned, we have to surrender the product to the manufacturer… and await the outcome for which we hope.

The good news for broken humanity is that we are under warranty, so to speak – with Jesus himself as the guarantor of our new deal. Repair or replace? That’s not our decision, but the maker’s. And our maker has chosen replacement as his restoration policy. He gives us a new heart, a new start – newness of life on his terms. This is not some patch-up job or minor upgrade; our loving Father-Son-Spirit triune God never intended mere mortals to be responsible for our own salvation. Knowing our frame, he has willingly fashioned an all-new humanity in Jesus, uniting willing, broken people to himself for full newness of life in him when we realise that we can’t save ourselves.

New life in the power of Jesus’s resurrection is the only way for us to have life and have it abundantly, as Jesus desires (John 10:10). And the only way for us to move on into that new life is by being united to Jesus in his death, resurrection, and ascension.

As pictured by baptism, we emerge into new life: we don’t get our old life back patched up. Nor can we get by with our own inexpert repair in an attempt to achieve God’s standard. We’re not supposed to tinker with the ‘old me’ – in fact, we can’t, because under our warranty, the ‘old me’ has been confiscated – crucified with Christ! In newness of life, we depend fully on God’s grace.

Think about it: if you try your own inexpert repair, you actually invalidate a product guarantee! The Apostle Paul challenged some early followers of Jesus who were attempting just that: ‘…After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?’ (Galatians 3:3).

The Galatians were turning away from Jesus as the good news for broken humanity – to another ‘gospel’ that was not good news at all. They had been ‘bewitched’ (v.1) into thinking they had to do their part to achieve God’s righteousness, holiness, and redemption. And the worst part about that was – they seemed to think they could have it both ways. Well, they couldn’t, and neither can we! 

No, brothers and sisters, the only life for us is the new resurrection life – God’s gift to us, job done! By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The only question is: are we too proud (or ashamed) to own up to our nothingness before the gracious God who loves us to death and beyond – and accept his free gift of grace?

Prayer

Thank you, merciful God, that the work is already done, and in a far better way than we could ever have imagined! Your Gospel is not just good news, it’s the best news ever: Jesus himself! Amen