December 16, 2008

Christ Is the End of the Law

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, "The man who does those things shall live by them." But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, "Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’" (that is, to bring Christ down [from above]) or," ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:1-11 NKJV)

Christ is the end of the law. This defines the Jew’s basic flaw. They were ignorant of who Christ is. They would not submit to the righteousness of God, which came by faith in Christ.

When Paul says that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, he means that the law pointed to Christ. Christ was the fulfillment of the law. That does not mean that the law is no longer important or useful. It is very important to the believer and the unbeliever. To the believer it is a guide to holiness, and to the unbeliever it is still a tutor to lead him to Christ.

However, the Jews had a propensity to make things difficult. Moses pointed out that the righteousness of the law was perfect obedience. "The man who does those things shall live by them." This is a direct quote from Lev. 18:5, which Paul uses to explain their waywardness to the Gospel.

I love the way Paul makes his next point. Basically, he says, “Look guys you are making this too hard. You don’t need to go into the abyss to find Christ, or into heaven to find Him. He is right here in the word of faith which I am preaching to you.”

Going on he explains that you must confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead. This last part requires more explanation, which will have to follow tomorrow. Clearly, confessing and believing have been distorted today. We will try to open a window on these truths. In the meantime, thank the Lord that Christ is the end of the law. Amen.