Establishing the Law Through Faith Meeting the righteous requirements of the law through faith. Rom. 3:31

Introduction When preaching the truth there are always people that listen at the message from an extremist point-of-view. Preach on baptism and some think the messenger is against faith in Christ. Preach on faith in Christ and some think the messenger doesn’t believe in the necessity of baptism. Preach on law keeping and some think the messenger doesn’t accept God’s grace. Preach on grace and some think the messenger doesn’t believe in fulfilling the law.

When preaching the truth there are always people that listen at the message from an extremist point-of-view.

Preach on baptism and some think the messenger is against faith in Christ.

Preach on faith in Christ and some think the messenger doesn’t believe in the necessity of baptism.

Preach on law keeping and some think the messenger doesn’t accept God’s grace.

Preach on grace and some think the messenger doesn’t believe in fulfilling the law.

Introduction Apparently, people in the New Testament era were no different than many among us today. The apostle Paul knew the reaction among some of the brethren when teaching about a believer being justified before God. He taught that all (Jews and Gentiles) were guilty of sin and whose deeds were death. He then stated that people were justified by the law of faith, not the law of works. Knowing how some might react toward his message, he answers his own rhetorical question: “ Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law .” Rom. 3:31

Apparently, people in the New Testament era were no different than many among us today.

The apostle Paul knew the reaction among some of the brethren when teaching about a believer being justified before God.

He taught that all (Jews and Gentiles) were guilty of sin and whose deeds were death.

He then stated that people were justified by the law of faith, not the law of works.

Knowing how some might react toward his message, he answers his own rhetorical question: “ Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law .” Rom. 3:31

Introduction So, if we are saved by faith, how do “we establish the law”? By upholding the required payment for the penalty of sin. The was established by serving as a tutor to bring believers to faith in Christ. Gal. 3:23-29 By “walking in the spirit” so as to fulfill the law. Rom. 8:3-4

So, if we are saved by faith, how do “we establish the law”?

By upholding the required payment for the penalty of sin.

The was established by serving as a tutor to bring believers to faith in Christ. Gal. 3:23-29

By “walking in the spirit” so as to fulfill the law. Rom. 8:3-4

Making Payment for the Penalty of Sin The Law of Moses required payment for sin (ceremonial or moral). Law demands obedience; sin requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness. Heb. 9:22 God – through His divine wisdom – was appeased by the blood of bulls and goats as a means of atonement for sin. Exo. 29:36 But the offerings through the Law – through His divine wisdom – could never (truly) take away sins. Heb. 10:1,4

The Law of Moses required payment for sin (ceremonial or moral).

Law demands obedience; sin requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness. Heb. 9:22

God – through His divine wisdom – was appeased by the blood of bulls and goats as a means of atonement for sin. Exo. 29:36

But the offerings through the Law – through His divine wisdom – could never (truly) take away sins. Heb. 10:1,4

Making Payment for the Penalty of Sin Jesus paid that penalty once and for all. Heb. 10:5-7 He came into this world to fulfill the law. Matt. 5:17 He fulfilled the Law by complete obedience under it. Contextually, His coming and dying to pay the full penalty of sin fulfilled exactly what the “Law of Prophets” spoke concerning the Messiah. Isa. 53 “ Thus the gospel of salvation by faith upholds the law by insisting that its utmost demands must be and have been fully met.”

Jesus paid that penalty once and for all. Heb. 10:5-7

He came into this world to fulfill the law. Matt. 5:17

He fulfilled the Law by complete obedience under it.

Contextually, His coming and dying to pay the full penalty of sin fulfilled exactly what the “Law of Prophets” spoke concerning the Messiah. Isa. 53

“ Thus the gospel of salvation by faith upholds the law by insisting that its utmost demands must be and have been fully met.”

The Law Pointed to a Faith in Christ The Law of Moses was added because of transgressions. Gal. 3:19 The Law revealed the utter sinfulness of sin. Rom. 7:13 The Law also served as a reminder to those under it of their sins. Heb. 10:1-3 The Law, therefore, revealed man’s need for salvation from their sins. Gal. 3:21-22

The Law of Moses was added because of transgressions. Gal. 3:19

The Law revealed the utter sinfulness of sin. Rom. 7:13

The Law also served as a reminder to those under it of their sins. Heb. 10:1-3

The Law, therefore, revealed man’s need for salvation from their sins. Gal. 3:21-22

The Law Pointed to a Faith in Christ The Law of Moses pointed to the Anointed One (Christ) based upon God’s promise. Gal. 3:23-29 Before faith (in Jesus) was revealed Jews were under the Law. It acted as a tutor until faith in Christ brought forth justification before God.

The Law of Moses pointed to the Anointed One (Christ) based upon God’s promise. Gal. 3:23-29

Before faith (in Jesus) was revealed Jews were under the Law.

It acted as a tutor until faith in Christ brought forth justification before God.

The Law Fulfilled by Walking in the Spirit We will never – of our own strength – be able to keep the law perfectly. This is true before we become Christians. This is true for Christians.

We will never – of our own strength – be able to keep the law perfectly.

This is true before we become Christians.

This is true for Christians.

The Law Fulfilled by Walking in the Spirit But, through faith in Christ – who paid the penalty – believers “walk” in the law of Christ. Loving our neighbors. Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:8 Bearing one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:2

But, through faith in Christ – who paid the penalty – believers “walk” in the law of Christ.

Loving our neighbors. Rom. 13:8-10; Gal. 5:14; Jas. 2:8

Bearing one another’s burdens. Gal. 6:2

The Law Fulfilled by Walking in the Spirit Ultimately, “walking in the Spirit.” Rom. 8:4 By “walking in the Spirit” our course of life upholds (“establishes”) the righteousness of the Law of Christ. Cp. Tit. 2:11-14 We ask God’s forgiveness when we sin (1 Jn. 1:7, 9) with confidence in the gracious and cleansing blood of our Savior. We do not take an extreme position and sin “that grace may abound” but are bound to righteousness as we uphold the law under which we live. Rom. 6 (vs. 1,15)

Ultimately, “walking in the Spirit.” Rom. 8:4

By “walking in the Spirit” our course of life upholds (“establishes”) the righteousness of the Law of Christ. Cp. Tit. 2:11-14

We ask God’s forgiveness when we sin (1 Jn. 1:7, 9) with confidence in the gracious and cleansing blood of our Savior.

We do not take an extreme position and sin “that grace may abound” but are bound to righteousness as we uphold the law under which we live. Rom. 6 (vs. 1,15)

Conclusion The Law demands that payment be made for sin, it pointed to the Messiah, and requires that the just live by faith. Without taking an extreme point-of-view we see the balance between the gracious payment by our Savior that justifies us as we walk in the Lord – by faith – to fulfill the Law of Christ.

The Law demands that payment be made for sin, it pointed to the Messiah, and requires that the just live by faith.

Without taking an extreme point-of-view we see the balance between the gracious payment by our Savior that justifies us as we walk in the Lord – by faith – to fulfill the Law of Christ.