November 18, 2008

The Law of Faith

“Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or [is He] the God of the Jews only? [Is He] not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since [there is] one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” (Romans 3:27-31 NKJV)

Here Paul concludes that justification is by faith apart from the deeds of the law. This is crucial since God’s grace is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. It is by faith that a person becomes a child of God, a child of promise.

Later in this same book, Paul will deal with the confusion the Jews had concerning God’s promises. They looked for an earthly kingdom, and missed the true kingdom of God. However, for now Paul concerns himself with the law.

Paul wanted us to know that the law was not bad. We establish the law by faith. How is this so? We do this by acknowledging its righteousness.

First, justification by faith establishes the law because it agrees with God in that He is unwilling to pardon sin without a blood sacrifice. Therefore, Christ went to the cross and made atonement for sin.

Second, justification by faith establishes the law because it acknowledges the law’s perfection. Christ lived in perfect obedience to the law without sin and thus was an acceptable sacrifice.

Third, justification by faith establishes the law because “the plan of justification by faith leads to an observance of the law. The sinner sees the evil of transgression. He sees the respect that God has shown to the law. He gives his heart to God, and yields himself to obey his law. All the sentiments that arise from the conviction of sin; that flow from gratitude for mercies; that spring from love to God; all his views of the sacredness of the law, prompt him to yield obedience to it. The fact that Christ endured such sufferings to show the evil of violating the law, is one of the strongest motives prompting to obedience. We do not easily and readily repeat that which overwhelms our best friends in calamity; and we are brought to hate that which inflicted such woes on the Savior’s soul” (Isaac Watts sited by Barnes).

Therefore, dear friend do not cast off the law because you are justified. To do this would speak contrary to genuine repentance. Instead, let that which is holy, just and good keep you forever humble at the Savior’s feet. Amen