Law Calls Forth Faith

Now we know that whatever the law says speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God's judgement. For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge is sin comes through the law.

But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed -attested by the Law and the Prophets- that is, God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:19-24

Romans can be a difficult book and it calls us to sit and meditate on the truth held in it, in bite size chunks. For the longest time I shunned such an activity but now am drawn to it.

Verse 19 seems difficult and it reeks of legalism and judgement. However we need to know that the Law came so that we would realise how holy God is and how sinful we were. As we are made aware of the law and our sinfulness we desperately want to be made right with God or throw our hands up an walk away. Being made aware of legal framework first brings anger, because it represents restraint. If we have been lawless then restraint is akin to the experience a wild stallion would have when being broken, ready to ride.

I am watching this happen to a client. The client needs to have an insurance policy pay her claim as she is facing financial ruin because of an illness. Yet the insurer is sticking to the rules. Law carries no grace and mercy. I am the mediator and I am beseeching my great mediator, Christ, on this woman's behalf. 

Jesus is God's righteousness, who is apart from the law. What does that mean? Although Jesus was born into a Jewish household and was subject to the law, His sinlessness set Him apart. The light had come. Praise God! He grew and displayed a sinless life and yet submitted Himself to the Law and all it contained because the Law pointed to Him, a spotless redeemer.

Oh how marvellous oh how wonderful and my song shall ever be..... Jesus paid it all all to Him I owe, sin has left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow!

I am free, not because if Law but because  of Faith in Jesus Christ. He fulfilled the Law for me, He did what I could not do and now in Him I am free!!! Amen!