If that's been your question as we've worked our way through Paul's letter to the Galatians, you are not alone. It's the question everyone has been asking. And it is the question Paul was expecting everyone to ask. So he voices it in Galatians 3:19 and then goes on to answer it. Here is John Stott's memorable summary of what Paul says.
"Not until the law has bruised and smitten us will we admit our need of the gospel to bind our wounds. Not until the law has arrested and imprisoned us will we pine for Christ to set us free. Not until the law has condemned and killed us will we call upon Christ for justification and life. Not until the law has driven us to despair of ourselves will we ever believe in Jesus. Not until the law has humbled us even to hell will we turn to the gospel to raise us to heaven."
"Not until the law has bruised and smitten us will we admit our need of the gospel to bind our wounds. Not until the law has arrested and imprisoned us will we pine for Christ to set us free. Not until the law has condemned and killed us will we call upon Christ for justification and life. Not until the law has driven us to despair of ourselves will we ever believe in Jesus. Not until the law has humbled us even to hell will we turn to the gospel to raise us to heaven."
John
Stott, Galatians, p.93.
