Training wheels ∙∙

Training wheels ∙∙

Therefore, the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. – Galatians 3:24

Galatians 3:21-26

 21 If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it.

 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.

 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Training Wheels

Many children often struggle to balance on a bicycle. Training wheels are designed to help children learn to ride. They are especially suitable for young ones with physical challenges. Training wheels prevent the bike from tilting and, in many cases, falling over. Over time, the training wheels are raised higher, allowing the child to rely more on their own balance and gradually become an independent rider. As the child’s skill improves, the training wheels are removed when they are ready to ride independently.

Spiritual Training Wheels

The Father, in His wisdom, has provided children of the King with spiritual “training wheels.” These mentors are intended to guide us to Christ and, in the early stages of our faith, to support and steady us as we grow in our relationship with Him. Paul refers to them as our tutors or guardians. As we mature, we learn to walk in faith on our own, depending on God’s grace rather than external supports.

The Role of the Paidagogos

In ancient Greek culture, a household servant was “entrusted with the care and moral upbringing of children.” This individual “played a crucial role in preparing children for adulthood.” This servant was called a paidagogos. The paidagogos was a “child guardian, tutor, or guide.” The word literally means a “trainer of boys.”

The paidagogos was typically an elderly and trusted slave who had served in the family for a long time. Their primary responsibility was to maintain the child’s moral development and well-being by instilling essential values and discipline. Their duty was to ensure the child developed the basic qualities necessary for a successful transition to adulthood.

Barclay explains that one specific task defined their role: they safely escorted the children to and from school every day. Although they were not directly involved in teaching the children, their job was to transport them safely to school and deliver them to the teacher.

The tutor acted as both a protector and an escort. Being under his guidance was like being in protective custody.

The Analogy of the Law

The apostle Paul compared the Old Testament law to a paidagogos, which acted as a temporary guide and guardian, leading people to the Lord Jesus Christ by revealing their need for a Savior. The law laid the groundwork for Jesus’ coming, helping people recognize Him as the Messiah, Savior, and Lord.

The Law as a Tutor: Revealing Sin

One of the primary roles of the law was to reveal sin. It served as a mirror, showing people’s failure to meet God’s perfect standard. No matter how hard anyone tries, it is impossible to obey the law flawlessly. Attempting to do so is pointless, as everyone falls short. There is nothing a person can do to solve the problem of sin on their own.

This inability highlights our need for a Savior who can overcome sin on our behalf. The law functions like a thermometer, indicating when our moral “temperature” is high. However, it has no power to lower the temperature. It does not eliminate the problem of sin.

The End of the Law

The Law of Moses, like a temporary guardian, was never meant to be permanent. When people come to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the “training wheels” of the law are no longer needed. They are freed from the law and welcomed as mature children of the King.

Indicators of Spiritual Maturity

How can we tell if we’ve moved beyond spiritual infancy? Our diet changes. We stop consuming spiritual milk and start eating solid food. We hunger for deeper truths and aim to apply them in our lives. We develop spiritual discernment and begin to equip and encourage others on their journey of faith.

REFLECT & PRAY

No child of the King is meant to remain a perpetual spiritual infant, solely consuming milk. Once we reach spiritual maturity, we no longer need temporary supports. We are called to embrace the freedom and responsibility that come with living by grace.

Father, thank You for the guides and tutors You have provided to lead me to Christ and encourage my growth in faith. Help me move beyond spiritual infancy and embrace the solid food of Your Word. Teach me to live by grace, walk in freedom, and reflect Your love in all that I do.

INSIGHT

Growing to Maturity in Christ

The Father has designed a plan for His children to grow into full maturity in Christ. This journey is more like a cross-country race than a quick sprint; it is filled with challenges, varied terrains, and moments that require perseverance. Along the way, we are called to move beyond spiritual infancy and fully embrace our identity as sons and daughters of the King.

Just as a cross-country runner must endure the difficulties of the course, the children of the King must keep going through the vicissitudes and trials go to sleep of life to reach full maturity in Christ of life to reach full maturity in Christ.

Children vs. Sons: A Rite of Passage 

There is a subtle yet profound difference lurking beneath the surface between being “children” and “sons.” When we first become children of the King, we are simply that, young spiritual infants. We are naturally immature and dependent on others for guidance and support. However, as we mature, we are no longer merely children but “sons.” The word “sons” refers to maturity and status, not gender. Here, “sons” means “full-grown sons.”

As Ritchson points out, in ancient traditions, when a child reached adulthood, the father would give him a “toga virilis,” a symbolic garment representing manhood and the responsibilities of adulthood. This rite of passage marked the shift from childhood to sonship.

A Choice to Grow

Each child of the King has a choice: we can either stay immature or grow into adulthood. One indicator of our spiritual development is the kind of food we consume.

Our spiritual growth shows in the nourishment we seek. As the saying goes, “we are what we eat.” Scripture uses the metaphor of milk and solid food to illustrate the difference between spiritual infancy and maturity.

Paul addresses the Corinthians, saying, 1 Corinthians 3:2-3: “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you were not ready for anything stronger. And you still are not ready, for your sinful nature still controls you.”

The author of Hebrews warns against remaining spiritually immature, Hebrews 5:12, “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you the basics of God’s word again. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.”

Are the training wheels still on?

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© Dr. H 2025