"The righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." The time came for Jesus to fulfill the law. The law leads us on a search for righteousness, and that search can only end with the person of Jesus Christ. Even the law and the prophets bear witness to the fact that Jesus is the righteousness of God. Through faith in him ALL can receive the righteousness of God. The statement that there "is no difference" refers back to previous discussions. There is no separation of Jew and Gentile, circumcision and uncircumcision when it comes to obtaining this righteousness. Paul reminds us again why one group cannot claim righteousness over another: we have ALL sinned.
That's it! We've all totally blown it. Each person who has ever lived has sinned against God and failed to measure up to His standards. Therefore, we are all in the same proverbial boat. On the day before Resurrection Sunday, I watched the last 20 minutes of The Passion of the Christ as it appeared on television. I was reminded of this verse as I watched the Roman soldiers pound spikes into Jesus' hands and feel. I felt the pain that MY sin caused a sinless Savior. I watched the skin open and the blood drip down. I knew it was for me. It was as if I had been the soldiers crucifying him, as if the hammer were in my hands. The lyrics to "How Deep the Father's Love" came into my head as they lifted the cross.
"How deep the Father's love for us/ How vast beyond all measure/ That He should give His only Son/ To make a wretch His treasure"
Christ died for me, a Savior suffering for a sinner. Could I look at such a sacrifice and claim superiority over another sinner? Verse 24 says that I am justified FREELY. There is nothing that I can do to reach heaven. It is only in trusting in that precious and free gift that I may be granted righteousness. Verse 27 reminds me of Ephesians 2:8 & 9. Paul asks, "Are we justified of the law? No Way (Holmes Version): but by the law of faith." We are justified by our faith in what Christ has already done so that we can only BOAST of CHRIST. Men are not justified and made right in the sight of God by keeping rules and commandments. We are only made right through faith. This paradoxically does not void the law. This only establishes the law.
If salvation by faith does not void the law, what is its purpose?
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