The Role of 'Law' in your Salvation

Slide 1: The Role of ‘Law’ Man is justified by the law of faith. Rom. 3:19-30

Slide 2: Introduction  In the previous sermon we saw how the apostle Paul taught:  The power of the gospel resides in the righteousness of God through Jesus. Rom. 1:16-17  Man is saved not of his own righteousness but that of God’s through faith in/through Jesus.

Slide 3: Introduction  In this lesson we look specifically at the role of law in the justification of man.  Through law (or ‘the Law’) all men fall short of God’s righteousness.  Yet, through the ‘Law of Faith” God’s righteousness is demonstrated.

Slide 4: The ‘Law’ Condemns All  Accountability (guilt) is directly linked to ‘law’.  Without law there is no condemnation (no accountability). Rom. 4:14-15  Through the law comes the knowledge of sin, thus accountability. Rom. 3:20  We know that law (thus accountability) has existed since the days of Adam. cp. Rom. 5:12-13

Slide 5: The ‘Law’ Condemns All  The Gentiles are accountable because…  God revealed Himself to them through nature. Rom. 1:18  God revealed Himself through ‘ordinances’ (divine revelation). Rom. 1:32  Before Moses (Heb. 11): Abel, v. 4; Enoch, v. 5; Noah, v. 7; Abraham and Sarah, vs. 11:8-11  Melchizedek, Heb. 7:1; Jethro, Exo. 3:1  Even today – through His ordinances are manifest through governing authorities – making Gentiles ‘without excuse’. Cp. Rom. 13:1-4

Slide 6: The ‘Law’ Condemns All  The Jews are also accountable because…  They had the Law (of Moses), knew the law, and condemned the Gentiles for their lifestyles contrary to the Law. Rom. 2:1  Yet, God would judge them as they had a specially written covenant. Cp. Rom. 2:1-3; Jas. 3:1

Slide 7: The ‘Law’ Condemns All  Through “law”.  Jews and Greeks who practice sin are found guilty before God. Rom. 2:1-3, 9, 12  Conversely, Jews and Greeks who are ‘doers of the law’ (practice righteousness) receive glory, honor, and peace. Rom. 2:5-7, 10, 13-16  The conclusion (Jew/Gentile): all are guilty. Rom. 3:9-20  The question – So how is anyone justified before God?

Slide 8: Justification Comes by Law, But Which One?  Not by the ‘Law of Works.’  No flesh is justified before God because through the law comes the knowledge of sin. Rom. 3:20  Therefore, there is no boasting in man’s righteousness because there is none. Rom. 3:19  Because all have fallen short of God’s glory.

Slide 9: Justification Comes by Law, But Which One?  But, by the ‘Law of Faith’ (apart from ‘the Law’ of Moses).  This is a person who “is saved not as a righteous person, but as a pardoned criminal.”  His ‘faith’ is professed in Jesus Christ, His great (and mighty) Redeemer. Rom. 10:9  His ‘faith’ in Christ is manifested by keeping His teaching. Rom. 6:3-4 (Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 24:46-47)

Slide 10: Conclusion  All (Jew and Gentile) are guilty and fall short of the glory of God.  Through the ‘Law of Faith’ (in Christ), however, man is justified.