Topic: Christians and the Law
Reading: Romans 3:27-31
Introduction and Overview
One of the great challenges Christians face is trying to understand where the law given to Moses fits in with Christianity. We are righteous by faith, as the last study introduced, and this will be expanded greatly in upcoming studies.
But the law is puzzle.
We know as Christians through the death of Christ that we are set free from law. In fact the law has been taken away for those who come to Christ and understand how this faith works. (This will be clearer when we get to Romans 6 and 7).
But then many Christians believe that they have to keep the law, specifically the Ten Commandments. And there are other laws that are imposed upon Christians by various churches such as fasting and tithing.
So, how can we be required to keep the law while we are set free from the law? If we are set free from the law do we have to keep it? And if we break the law, how can we be sinners if we are no longer under the law that condemns us as sinners?
This sounds complicated, and the way it is often taught it IS complex. Bu the truth of the matter is not so complex at all. These verses today give good guidelines on this matter. They will help to begin a degree of understanding that will grow as we delve further into the letter to the Romans.
Key points from reading:
- We cannot boast over our ability to keep the law, or anything else, as in Christ we are not under the law.
- Christians are justified or made righteous by faith, apart from the law.
- But even though we are set free from the law, we do not ignore it.
Discussion:
- Scripture: Romans 3:27
- There are those who boast that they are “good people.” They say this because they believe they are keeping the requirements of the law. But it is a fallacy and a false righteousness because such thinking is driven by self-righteousness.
- Consider the comparison Jesus made between the Pharisee and tax collector who went up to the temple to worship. (Read: Luke 18:9-14) In this teaching the Pharisee was proud and arrogant, boasting about how he kept the letter of the law to the most minute level of detail. He even boasted that he was so much better than the tax collector nearby.
- But the tax collector prayed to God and worshiped in complete humility, not even lifting his eyes to heaven. And Jesus stated that the tax collector was the one who went away justified rather than the proud Pharisee.
- With the removal of the law for those who believe, the only way anyone can stand righteous before God is through faith. And this righteousness is given as a free gift from God, who declares people righteous because they believed God, just as Abraham did and was reckoned righteous. (Read: Romans 4:23-25)
- Scripture: Romans 3:28
- This is the core of the matter. We are not justified by following the works of the law. We are justified and made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. We believe that Jesus died and God raised Him from the dead. When we believe this in our heart and confess Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, then God declares us righteous. And this declaration of righteousness has nothing to do with the law or keeping the works of the law.
- But again it depends upon what you believe. It is all about faith. When we believe these things God says, “You are righteous.” And yet many Christians still cannot accept this free gift of righteousness. They still believe they are sinners and are bound under the power of sin, which is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:55-56)
- If you continue to believe that you are a sinner, then you have not yet accepted the free gift of righteousness given by God. And if God declares you righteous, then who has the right to say otherwise? Even you, yourself, cannot oppose the word and the will of God. You must accept it on the grounds of faith, just as God intended.
- Scripture: Romans 3:29-30
- What we see in this verse is that God offers this free gift of righteousness by faith to all mankind. It doesn’t matter whether you are a Jew or Gentile, the same offer is made to all.
- Because there is only one true God for both Jews and Gentiles, the offer is made to all. The circumcised (Jews) will be accepted on the ground of their faith, and the uncircumcised (Gentiles) will be accepted through their faith.
- Either way, the key to receiving this free gift of righteousness all comes back to faith and the power of the grace of God.
- Scripture: Romans 3:31
- This last verse in this section is crucial to begin to understand where the law fits for a Christian.
- We are not under the law, but we do not overthrow the law. Righteousness by faith does not do away with the law. Rather, as Christians we uphold the moral requirements of the law. The scripture at Romans 8:3-4 says this:
- 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
- The word “just” means the “righteousness” of the law. And in these words we find the answer to the dichotomy of where Christians should stand in relation to the law.
- Christians are not under the law. They are not condemned by the law, even if they break it. But this righteousness by faith does not give Christians the right to do as they please. We are not “licensed” to be lawbreakers. Rather, we are called in Christ to uphold the moral requirements of the law and to do what is right. The law defines right and wrong, good and evil, and so we can learn from the law what is the minimum standard required of God’s people. And I say “minimum” standard because even Jesus said: “…unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)
Key Takeaways:
- We have no grounds to boast since what righteousness we have is that which comes from God through faith in Jesus Christ.
- We are set free from the law, but we cannot disregard the law as it contains insight into right and wrong in the eyes of God
- The free gift of righteousness by faith is given by God and is offered to all mankind.
Prayer Points
- Seek the Lord for insight into the truth of righteousness by faith
- Pray that you can learn how to stand before God, righteous by faith, and no longer condemning yourself for breaking a law to which you are no longer under bondage.