Now we know that
whatever the law says,
it says to those who
are under the law,
that every mouth may
be stopped,
and all the world may
be guilty
before God. Therefore
by the deeds
of the law no flesh
will be justified
in his own sight, for
by the law
is the knowledge of
sin.
Romans 3:19–20
The Law of
the prophets was not only the guiding law of the Hebrews, it is, that is, the
Law of the Ten Commandments, still our guiding law for all Christians. The Law
did not cease to be law for God’s children with the incarnation, death,
resurrection, and ascension to heaven by Jesus Christ. He did not come in way
than: “Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the Prophets, I did
not come to destroy the law but fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). The Law and the
words of the prophets are still in force today and will according to Jesus
never pass away: “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass
away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is
fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). It must then be admitted: we are still under the
law, and all the inspired words written by the prophets of old are for us
today. This being so; why then is we living as though this is not true? Why are
we making excuses and reasons for not doing what the Law has commanded. Those
are not words written by man. Those are the word of God for man, written down
for us by men inspired by God. We say we keep them, but upon examination, it is
to be found that all that has been done is to pick and choose the ones we wish
to keep, and make excuses for the ones that we find somewhat hard or offensive.
The Law will not save a person. It is only Jesus Christ who paid our debt of
sin by which a person is justified: “But now the righteousness of God apart
from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the
righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who
believe. For there is no difference”(Romans 3:21–22). The Law reveals sin,
due to the fact, that we do not keep the Law in perfection as we all can
testify too. The Law reveals the righteousness of God and we through our faith
in Jesus Christ. It is not some faith far away, not to those who might have
faith. No! It is faith in the genitive singular, one person who has faith, in
the present, that is, the one who has the faith of Jesus Christ, in Jesus
Christ and is presently having faith, the one who is believing, and believe
according to Scripture. This is true due to this most important aspect of our
lives: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans
3:23). Paul has aptly pointed this out as discussed in the previous blog.
So, how then do we have our debt of sin paid? It is by the justification by His
grace: “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is
in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through
faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because of His forbearance God had
passed over the sins that were previously committed” (Romans 3:24–25). God
had, and has every right to destroy all of His creation. The creation is His,
and His to do whatever He so desires to do. We have no say in the matter.
Therefore, God by His mercy and grace passed over sins, sins that are in this
world, and in our life. However, this does not mean that God will not call into
account our sins as though His patience will not affect any serious judgment.
This would be a mistake to believe that what you or I do will not have serious
consequences, if not now, it will have them on the Day of Judgment. God
demonstrates, and reveals to His children, even to the world inasmuch as
creation does admit that God does exist. Yet, this demonstration of His
righteousness and that He is the justifier, cannot be mistaken as He justifies
only those who have faith, faith in Jesus Christ the very incarnate of
righteousness: “to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that
He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans
3:26). It is Jesus, first, last, and forever that by Him our sins are
propitiated: “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren,
that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to
God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
Are you
struggling with sin? Are you struggling with salvation? If so, fall on your
knees and repent! Change your ways, your very life, and become conformed to the
image of Jesus Christ who has paid for your sins by means of His death. God,
God, came to earth, not some angel, not some created being for this purpose, it
was God who came, the only begotten God: “And the Word become flesh and
dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of
the Father, full of grade and truth” (John 1:14). To be begotten of God is
to say this: Jesus is God, the very essence of God, the Wisdom of God, and as
the Second Person of the Trinity, came to save you. God has chosen you!
Therefore, live as one of God’s chosen. Fight the good fight by putting on the
armor of God: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
It is not
keeping some man–made law, or doctrine, as many have succumbed and believe, no,
it is the word of God, that which we study, and apply in our lives. The Law
pointed to sin: Jesus Christ points to righteousness and salvation. Grow your faith;
ensure your salvation and election by living according to the word of God. Here
is where all blessings come to a person of true faith in Jesus Christ.
And this I pray, that you love
May abound
still more
And more in knowledge and all
Discernment,
that you may
Be sincere and without offense till
The day of
Christ, being filled
With the fruits of righteousness which
Are by
Jesus Christ, to the glory
And praise of God.
Philippians 1:9–11
Grace to you and Peace fro God our Father
And the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:2)
Richard L. Crumb
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