Salvation and Keeping the Law
No one can be saved by keeping the law. The Bible declares, “By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight” (Romans 3:20). Salvation comes only through grace, as a free gift from Jesus Christ, and we receive this gift by faith, not by works. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
The law serves only as a mirror to point out sin in our lives. “By the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Cleansing and forgiveness from sin come only through Christ. People don’t keep the law by God’s power to be saved but because they are saved.
The Bible is very clear that if the law could have been canceled or changed (Matthew 24:35), God would have immediately made that change when Adam and Eve sinned instead of sending His Son to die in the sinner’s behalf to pay the penalty of the broken law. If God could have saved His Son, He would have.
Jesus came to this earth to magnify the law (Isaiah 42:21). Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17,18). Jesus revealed by His life a perfect obedience to it and showed that Christians can, through the empowering grace of God, give obedience to God’s law.
The plan of justification by faith shows God’s regard for His law in demanding and providing the redemption of man. If justification by faith abolishes law, then there was no need for the atoning death of Christ to free the sinner from his guilt, and thus give him to peace with God.
The law is a revelation of the holy will of God and of the eternal principles of morality. Christ’s death established the Law (Isaiah 40:8). The apostle Paul teaches, “Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31).
Here is the good news, Christ not only pardons repentant sinners, but He restores in them the image of God. He brings them into harmony with His law through the power of His Spirit. “God sending his own Son … That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:3, 4).
It is God that works in the believer to do His will (Philippians 2:13). The Lord promised, “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10). With God’s grace, the believer will confidently say, “I can do all things through Christ” (Philippians 4:13).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
