Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be!

Romans 3:9-31 (NASB) from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

⁹ What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; ¹⁰ as it is written,

¹⁹ Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; ²⁰ because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.

Justification by Faith

²¹ But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶ for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, ³⁰ since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one.

³¹ Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

It is important as we continue in Romans to remember that Paul is writing to believers. His words and instruction are for the church not for the world. In the earlier part of chapter 3 Paul wrote:

 ³ What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? ⁴ May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written,

⁵ But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) ⁶ May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?

People who reject Christ will often use the argument that a loving and just God would not exclude people just because they don't follow Christ. The truth is they are right. God gave man, every man, an opportunity to live righteously, up to the standards of God's righteousness on his own, without Christ. Whether Jew or Gentile, whether Christian or not each person has a choice and an option to be judged based on their own works and righteousness.   The truth of verses 10-12 “There is none righteous, not even one;
¹¹ There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; ¹² All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.”, speak to why God is more than fair, giving man a second option. No one is able to measure up to the righteousness of God. The text says:  by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.  God sent Jesus as an alternative, another way, apart from our own works, that man could be restored to complete relationship with God.  The choice exits though for every man to be judged on his own works or on the work of Christ on the cross.

Whether people believe and accept it or not does not change the truth, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar.  Today's text ends with Paul saying: Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.    

In Matthew 5, Jesus Himself says:     ¹⁷ “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  ²⁰ “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus came to fulfill the law. He says unless our righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and the Pharisee we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The scribes and Pharisees knew every stroke and letter of the law and did their best to follow it, yet that will not get them into the kingdom of heaven. Only through Jesus Christ can any man attain the righteousness of God.

As Paul writes:     for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶ for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

God is righteous and just. His justice, as all justice requires judgment. If there is no judgment there is no justice. It is not unfair or narrow minded to believe in Jesus and accept Him as our redeemer. Jesus says:  "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. Those who say Jesus is just one of many ways to God call Him a liar. There are only two ways man can choose to be justified in God's eyes, either by his own works or by faith in Christ.

The world, unbelievers do not need us though to continually present the law to them. They are aware of the law and their conscience bears witness to right and wrong. Conscience is defined as: an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.  Jesus says: "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin "(Mark 3:28-29)  Jesus says:  He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; ¹¹ and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.(John 16:8-11) When people deny the inner voice that tells them what is right and what is wrong, they deny the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit alone who can convict the world of sin, not anything we can say or do.

There are two ways, two paths to God available to every man. The world doesn't need us to tell them they are sinners. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. What the world needs is a revelation of the other path to God. The world needs a revelation of Christ,  not judgment, not condemnation, but a revelation of Christ's redemption. Jesus did not come to abolish the law, to accept sin and neither should we. Jesus came to fulfill the law. That through faith in Christ men are redeemed from their sin. The world needs a revelation of Christ.

We need to live as Jesus says: "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  Our good works, living as examples of Christ redemption. First loving God with all our heart, soul and mind, then loving others as ourselves.  Only from the place of living with the love of God can we then as Paul writes in Ephesians 4:15 be those who:

speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, thank You that You are the righteous judge of all. Thank You for revealing my need of a savior and redeemer so that through faith in Christ alone I am now justified and righteous in Your eyes. Holy Spirit guide me and empower me to live a life that demonstrates love, truth and redemption. May my life serve as a revealation of the love of Christ. I choose to let the law speak for itself and to yield to You to convict the world of sin and righteousness.  Lord God I love You with all my heart, soul and mind. Help me through Your love to love others  and only in that love speak truth, that many may see and hear and glorify You Father.   Amen