Paul talks about one another reason why the Law has nothing to do with the Abrahamic covenant.
“Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.”
— Galatians 3:20
Let’s break it down.
Law vs. Promise—Two Very Different Deals
Paul wants us to understand something simple but important: the Law and the Promise are not the same thing. Not even close.
The Law? That came through a mediator—Moses—delivered in the presence of angels, written on stone tablets, and full of “you shall” and “you shall not” commandments. It was a two-way deal: “If you obey… then I will bless you.”
That’s a contract. A conditional agreement. It was performance based.
But the promise God made to Abraham? That was completely different.
There was no mediator. No Moses. No angels. Just God, acting alone.
God Made the Promise… While Abraham Was Asleep
Back in Genesis 15, God made a covenant with Abraham in a pretty wild way. He had Abraham prepare the animals for a traditional covenant ceremony (cutting them in two, which was how contracts were sealed back then), and then… God put Abraham into a deep sleep.
Then God walked between the pieces alone.
Why? Because this promise didn’t depend on Abraham at all. God was saying, “I’m making this covenant with Myself. I will fulfill it. I will carry it. I will make it happen—no matter what.”
And in Genesis 17? Abraham is again face down, silent, while God expands on the promise. All Abraham had to do was receive it.
So What’s the Point?
The promise was unilateral. That means it wasn’t based on Abraham’s performance, and it’s not based on yours either.
You can’t mess this up.
Why?
Because it’s not a deal between you and God—it’s a promise made by God to Himself, and you get to benefit from it in Christ.
No fine print. No mediator required. No pressure to perform.
Just grace, through and through.
So next time you’re tempted to mix a little law into your walk with Jesus, remember: the promise came first, it came better, and it came with God doing all the work.
And He doesn’t need your help to keep a promise He made long before you ever showed up.
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