The Brilliance of Christ

by Rob Dunne

Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24

My heart pounded. Dodging locals and tourists, I wove my way down busy sidewalks towards my destination. Concerned that I might run into Jack Dawkins, I gripped the envelope tightly while keeping my hand deep inside my pants pocket. Twinkling lights distracted me as I crossed over into the diamond district. Moments later, Gabriel squeezed my hand like a vice grip and smiled. I was about to trade the envelope in my pocket for the treasure locked in one of the jeweler’s fortified drawers.

For months, I educated myself on the Four Cs of diamond buying (color, cut, clarity and carats). Utilizing intense magnification, I looked at dozens of diamonds. Even under the most ideal circumstances, the jewelers explained that no diamond is literally perfect because of the human element involved in cutting the gem. There is no way to make the table, crown and girdle perfectly symmetrical. Though impossible to see with the naked eye or even under magnification, there is sure to be some flaw in the diamond.

In the same way, it is impossible for human beings to live a perfect life according to Gods’ laws. Following the miraculous deliverance of the Jewish people out of Egypt, God gave them laws to live by. The purpose of the Law was to establish God’s  community with guidelines to maintain order and justice. Most importantly, the Law was a teacher to help lead them and us to Christ.

Jesus was fully God and fully man. He was the only person capable of fulfilling every aspect of the law. Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life. As a result, He set us free from the law of sin that ultimately results in death. Yes, everyone must die a physical death. However, a spiritual death occurs when our failure to fulfill all aspects of the law separates us from God. Thanks to His perfect fulfillment of the law, His death on the cross and ultimate victory over death, Jesus provides us with the justification that we need to spend eternity with Him in heaven.

None of us is perfect. Thank God we don’t have to be. Faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ sets us free from our sins. Take a moment today to gaze upon the perfect face of your Savior. He will dazzle you more than the most brilliant diamond ever could!