In Romans 4:1-25, Paul proved four aspects about justification by faith from the life of Abraham in the Old Testament: (1) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not works (Romans 4:1-8); (2) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not by circumcision (Romans 4:9-12); (3) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not the Law (Romans 4:13-17); and (4) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith in God (Romans 4:17-25).
We have already considered the first two aspects about justification that Paul proved from the life of Abraham. First, justification is by faith and not of works. Abraham was a pagan idolater who had done nothing and could do nothing to earn his justification. Second, justification is by faith and not circumcision. Abraham was justified at least fourteen years before he was circumcised. The conclusion is more than obvious: Abraham’s circumcision had absolutely nothing to do with causing his justification.
Now we come to the third aspect about justification that Paul proved from the life of Abraham – justification is by faith and not the Law (Romans 4:13-17).
Here in these verses, promise, grace, and faith are contrasted to Law so that we can see clearly that there are two opposing ideas about justification. One is justification as a gift by grace through faith in God’s promise. The other is justification as a wage by works through the Law.
Now which was it with Abraham? Was Abraham’s justification a gift by grace through faith in God’s promise? Or was Abraham’s justification earned as a wage by works through keeping the Law?
Abraham was not justified by keeping the Law (Romans 4:13-15).
God’s promise didn’t come through keeping the Law (Romans 4:13) – the Law was 430 years later. God’s promise came through faith. In other words God’s promise of justification through faith in His testimony concerning His Son isn’t given to those who insist on earning it through works, or circumcision, or keeping the Law – it is only given to those who will freely receive it.
God’s promise couldn’t come through keeping the Law (Romans 4:14-15). Through the Law faith would be made void – “For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified” – justification would then be earnable; men could please God in their flesh; faith would be unnecessary; and Christ would have died needlessly.
Also through the Law the promise would be nullified – “For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified.” God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants was an unconditional promise. The covenant or promise that God entered into with Abraham was based solely on what God would do and on nothing that Abraham would do. Abraham didn’t work for the promise; he wasn’t circumcised in order to receive the promise; and he didn’t keep God’s Law in order to receive the promise. If Abraham had the ability to bring about his justification then there was no need for God to make the promise that he would bring it about and therefore the promise would be nullified.
Through the Law justification is impossible (Romans 4:15). The Law brings about wrath not justification because men are sinners and the penalty for violating God’s Law is God’s wrath and the death of the sinner. The Law wasn’t given to save men but to show men that they need to be saved. The Law which brings about wrath shows men their great need for grace and mercy so that they will flee to God’s promise of justification through His Son and come to Jesus who said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Abraham was justified by faith (Romans 4:16-17)
Abraham was justified by God as a gift (Romans 4:16). The promise cannot and will not be received by works through the Law – it is only by faith in accordance with grace – and this way the promise is guaranteed. Think about it – if the promise of eternal life was through works of the Law it could not be guaranteed because the Law can be broken and because we are all sinners no one could ever reach it or attain to it. But the promise is guaranteed because it cannot be broken (God keeps His promises) because it is in accordance with grace and not by Law. Also this way the promise is guaranteed not only for those who are of the Law – the Jews – but also for those who are not of the Law – the Gentiles. And in both cases, for the Jews and for the Gentiles, the promise is guaranteed by grace through faith. Therefore only those who are of the faith of Abraham receive the promise.
Abraham was justified by grace through faith (Romans 4:17). Faith isn’t just believing in God (the demons believe in God); faith is believing God. Believing God gives God glory for in doing so one believes the trustworthiness and ability of God. Abraham believed God! Abraham believed God concerning God’s promise. Abraham believed God concerning the Christ and His resurrection from the dead. Any man who will be saved will believe God concerning His testimony about His Son – “The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son” (1 John 5:10).
Adding works of any kind to the gift of justification by grace through faith is to not believe in the testimony that God has given concerning His Son. It is unbelief and makes God into a liar.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Faith not Circumcision or Baptism!
The Old Testament from the life of Abraham proves that justification is by faith and not by works. The apostle Paul was referring to this truth in Romans 4:1-8 showing how Abraham didn’t work for his justification and how God justifies the ungodly through faith by crediting faith as righteousness. Abraham was justified because he believed God’s promise not because he worked to earn it. But from the life of Abraham the Old Testament also proves that justification is by faith and not by circumcision (which would also be a work).
This also has huge implications in our day for those who teach that justification is through baptism. Circumcision and baptism have a correlation in that circumcision was to serve as a sign and a seal of justification just as baptism is to serve as a sign and seal of justification. So in this study the truth will be established that justification is by faith and not by circumcision or baptism.
In Romans 4:9-12 the apostle Paul will prove that Abraham was justified long before he was circumcised showing that circumcision has nothing to do with justification and therefore even the Gentiles can be justified on the same basis that Abraham was justified – by faith and not by circumcision.
In Romans 4:1-8 the apostle Paul spoke of the blessings of justification on the basis of faith and not of works. Now in Romans 4:9 he moved into whether or not circumcision had anything at all to do with Abraham’s justification. If justification is based on circumcision then Abraham would have had to been circumcised before he was justified and the logical conclusion would be then that any man at any time would have to be circumcised in order to be justified. If this were true then the Gentiles would be excluded from justification apart from becoming a Jew through circumcision.
So Paul asked, “Is this blessing [of justification] then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, ‘Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness’” (Romans 4:9). In order to answer Paul’s question and establish the truth that his ministry as the apostle to the Gentiles was legitimate then the account of Abraham’s justification would have to be inspected in respect to his circumcision and see which came first. If circumcision came first then Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was illegitimate. If justification came first then Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was legitimate. So Paul went to the justification of Abraham as the prototype of all true believers and established the truth that justification is by faith and not by circumcision.
Abraham received the blessing of justification by imputation while he was uncircumcised (Romans 4:10). The account of Abraham’s justification occurs in Genesis 15:6 but he wasn’t circumcised until Genesis 17:23-27. There was at least fourteen years after Abraham was justified before he was circumcised. He was eighty-six (Genesis 16:15) when Hagar bore Ishmael to him (which was after he was justified) and he was ninety-nine when he was circumcised. Abraham was justified before he ever took matters into his own hands and conceived Ishmael with Hagar. There would have been a nine month gestation period before the birth of Ishmael so we can easily conclude that there was at least fourteen years between Abraham’s justification and his circumcision. The conclusion is more than obvious: Abraham’s circumcision had nothing whatsoever to do with his justification.
Circumcision was a sign and a seal of the justification which Abraham had while uncircumcised (Romans 4:11). Circumcision didn’t save or justify Abraham and it is not what Abraham did to cause God to show favor to him. Is anyone saved because he is circumcised? Absolutely not! Circumcision was to be a sign (symbol) of the removal of the flesh and a seal (stamp) of living by faith, pointing to two realities that had already taken place.
Is anyone saved by baptism? Absolutely not! Baptism is to be a sign (symbol) of the death and burial of the flesh and a seal (stamp) of living by faith by being raised up to walk in newness of life under the Lordship of Christ. To be justified either by circumcision or baptism is not to have righteousness credited but would be to earn righteousness through a work – perish the thought.
The faith of Abraham (believing God about the Christ – see Galatians 3:16) is what both the circumcised and the uncircumcised must possess to be saved (Romans 4:12). We are justified by faith and not by circumcision or baptism. “Even so Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. ‘Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.’ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham the believer” (Galatians 3:6-9).
This also has huge implications in our day for those who teach that justification is through baptism. Circumcision and baptism have a correlation in that circumcision was to serve as a sign and a seal of justification just as baptism is to serve as a sign and seal of justification. So in this study the truth will be established that justification is by faith and not by circumcision or baptism.
In Romans 4:9-12 the apostle Paul will prove that Abraham was justified long before he was circumcised showing that circumcision has nothing to do with justification and therefore even the Gentiles can be justified on the same basis that Abraham was justified – by faith and not by circumcision.
In Romans 4:1-8 the apostle Paul spoke of the blessings of justification on the basis of faith and not of works. Now in Romans 4:9 he moved into whether or not circumcision had anything at all to do with Abraham’s justification. If justification is based on circumcision then Abraham would have had to been circumcised before he was justified and the logical conclusion would be then that any man at any time would have to be circumcised in order to be justified. If this were true then the Gentiles would be excluded from justification apart from becoming a Jew through circumcision.
So Paul asked, “Is this blessing [of justification] then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, ‘Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness’” (Romans 4:9). In order to answer Paul’s question and establish the truth that his ministry as the apostle to the Gentiles was legitimate then the account of Abraham’s justification would have to be inspected in respect to his circumcision and see which came first. If circumcision came first then Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was illegitimate. If justification came first then Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles was legitimate. So Paul went to the justification of Abraham as the prototype of all true believers and established the truth that justification is by faith and not by circumcision.
Abraham received the blessing of justification by imputation while he was uncircumcised (Romans 4:10). The account of Abraham’s justification occurs in Genesis 15:6 but he wasn’t circumcised until Genesis 17:23-27. There was at least fourteen years after Abraham was justified before he was circumcised. He was eighty-six (Genesis 16:15) when Hagar bore Ishmael to him (which was after he was justified) and he was ninety-nine when he was circumcised. Abraham was justified before he ever took matters into his own hands and conceived Ishmael with Hagar. There would have been a nine month gestation period before the birth of Ishmael so we can easily conclude that there was at least fourteen years between Abraham’s justification and his circumcision. The conclusion is more than obvious: Abraham’s circumcision had nothing whatsoever to do with his justification.
Circumcision was a sign and a seal of the justification which Abraham had while uncircumcised (Romans 4:11). Circumcision didn’t save or justify Abraham and it is not what Abraham did to cause God to show favor to him. Is anyone saved because he is circumcised? Absolutely not! Circumcision was to be a sign (symbol) of the removal of the flesh and a seal (stamp) of living by faith, pointing to two realities that had already taken place.
Is anyone saved by baptism? Absolutely not! Baptism is to be a sign (symbol) of the death and burial of the flesh and a seal (stamp) of living by faith by being raised up to walk in newness of life under the Lordship of Christ. To be justified either by circumcision or baptism is not to have righteousness credited but would be to earn righteousness through a work – perish the thought.
The faith of Abraham (believing God about the Christ – see Galatians 3:16) is what both the circumcised and the uncircumcised must possess to be saved (Romans 4:12). We are justified by faith and not by circumcision or baptism. “Even so Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness. ‘Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.’ The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you.’ So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham the believer” (Galatians 3:6-9).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Faith not Works!
As Paul preached the gospel of the finished work of Christ and established the doctrine of justification by faith alone in Christ alone, he would have been accused by many of the Jews of preaching against the people and against the Law. This is exactly what happened to him in Jerusalem when Paul was seized in the temple. “When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands upon him, crying out, ‘Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preached to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place…’” (Acts 21:27-28).
That the gospel would have been viewed by many of the Jews as a message against the people and against the Law is self-evident in the book of Romans. Paul has already dealt with the guilt and condemnation of the Jew by the Law and answered the question that would have naturally arisen in the mind of the Jews – “Then what advantage has the Jew” (Romans 3:1). Then Paul went on to establish the truth that through works of the Law no flesh would be justified in God’s sight ; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). This most certainly would appear that Paul was preaching against the Law. However, Paul went on to establish the truth that the righteousness of God comes to sinners on the basis of faith in the only One who ever fulfilled the Law, not for His own sake but for ours (Romans 3:21-29). It is on this basis that faith does not nullify the Law but actually establishes the Law so that there is no contradiction between the gospel of the finished work of Christ and the Law that must be fulfilled for justification (Romans 3:31).
The doctrine of justification by faith apart from works of the Law is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). To the Jews the gospel is a stumbling block because they think that their justification is a matter of being Jewish and relying upon their ability to keep the Law (Romans 2:17). To the Greeks the gospel is foolishness because they think that their justification is not a legal matter and therefore the obedience of Christ to the Law has no significance as far as their forgiveness is concerned. However, the apostle Paul taught that justification is a matter of faith in Christ and His works and not a matter of works or lack of works of the individual. This proves both legalism and libertinism to be false doctrines concerning justification.
To prove his point, the apostle Paul appealed to the Old Testament and showed that it taught the exact same thing that he was teaching – “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets” (Romans 3:21).
In Romans 4:1-25, Paul proved four aspects about justification by faith from the life of Abraham in the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets: (1) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not works (Romans 4:1-8); (2) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not circumcision (Romans 4:9-12); (3) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not the Law (Romans 4:13-16); and (4) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith in God (Romans 4:17-25).
Justification by faith apart from works proven in the Law and the Prophets (Romans 4:1-8)
First, the truth that justification is by faith and not by works is proven by the Law (Romans 4:1-5; Genesis 15:6).
Paul stated the truth that Abraham wasn’t justified by works (Romans 4:1-2). Abraham is given in the Bible as the prototype of saving faith (Romans 4:16) and the apostle Paul pointed to the justification of Abraham to show that the gospel he was preaching was not in violation of the teachings of the Law and the Prophets. Abraham, before he was justified, was an idolater (Joshua 24:1-3) and therefore wasn’t justified on the basis of works. Since this was true of Abraham then even Abraham had nothing to boast about in his justification (Romans 4:2) because his justification wasn’t based on what he did but on what Someone else did (John 8:56).
Abraham was justified by faith and not works (Romans 4:3). The word “credited” or “counted” or “reckoned” or “imputed”, however it is translated, comes from a Greek word that means, “to put to ones account.” It is a banking term and it is used eleven times in this chapter. Since Abraham did not earn his justification through works but instead it was credited to him, Abraham’s justification was a gift and was not earned (Romans 4:4-5). Wages are earned. Wages are what are due for work done (Romans 4:4). The last thing Abraham would have wanted was for God to give him what was due him for the work of his idolatry and sin. Credit is unearned; it is a gift of grace (Romans 4:5). Abraham received what he didn’t deserve and didn’t receive what he did deserve because of faith in God concerning His testimony about His Son (1 John 5:10).
Second, the truth that justification is by faith and not works is proven by the Prophets (Romans 4:6-8; Psalm 32:1-2).
God credits righteousness to man apart from any of his own works and based solely on the work of Another – if anyone works God pays the wages that is due (Romans 4:6). One can either trust the finished work of Christ or his own work. He can receive justification as a gift or he can receive condemnation as a wage because of failing to live perfectly in the light of God’s Law.
It is not on the basis of works that any man will be justified because God justifies lawless, ungodly sinners (Romans 4:7). What work can a lawless, ungodly sinner do to be justified? Justification by the Law is out of reach for any born in Adam. Justification is only brought near and in reach through faith in Jesus Christ the second Adam (Romans 10:8-13). For the one who has faith in the finished work of Christ – His upholding the precepts of the Law through His sinless life; His upholding the penalty of the Law through His sacrificial death; and His uphold the Person of the Law through His supernatural resurrection – God removes the sinners record and replaces it with Christ’s record (Romans 4:8). In this there is a double imputation. Our sin was imputed to Christ and His righteousness was imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
How great is our God!
That the gospel would have been viewed by many of the Jews as a message against the people and against the Law is self-evident in the book of Romans. Paul has already dealt with the guilt and condemnation of the Jew by the Law and answered the question that would have naturally arisen in the mind of the Jews – “Then what advantage has the Jew” (Romans 3:1). Then Paul went on to establish the truth that through works of the Law no flesh would be justified in God’s sight ; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). This most certainly would appear that Paul was preaching against the Law. However, Paul went on to establish the truth that the righteousness of God comes to sinners on the basis of faith in the only One who ever fulfilled the Law, not for His own sake but for ours (Romans 3:21-29). It is on this basis that faith does not nullify the Law but actually establishes the Law so that there is no contradiction between the gospel of the finished work of Christ and the Law that must be fulfilled for justification (Romans 3:31).
The doctrine of justification by faith apart from works of the Law is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Greeks who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). To the Jews the gospel is a stumbling block because they think that their justification is a matter of being Jewish and relying upon their ability to keep the Law (Romans 2:17). To the Greeks the gospel is foolishness because they think that their justification is not a legal matter and therefore the obedience of Christ to the Law has no significance as far as their forgiveness is concerned. However, the apostle Paul taught that justification is a matter of faith in Christ and His works and not a matter of works or lack of works of the individual. This proves both legalism and libertinism to be false doctrines concerning justification.
To prove his point, the apostle Paul appealed to the Old Testament and showed that it taught the exact same thing that he was teaching – “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets” (Romans 3:21).
In Romans 4:1-25, Paul proved four aspects about justification by faith from the life of Abraham in the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets: (1) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not works (Romans 4:1-8); (2) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not circumcision (Romans 4:9-12); (3) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith and not the Law (Romans 4:13-16); and (4) how the Old Testament proved that justification is by faith in God (Romans 4:17-25).
Justification by faith apart from works proven in the Law and the Prophets (Romans 4:1-8)
First, the truth that justification is by faith and not by works is proven by the Law (Romans 4:1-5; Genesis 15:6).
Paul stated the truth that Abraham wasn’t justified by works (Romans 4:1-2). Abraham is given in the Bible as the prototype of saving faith (Romans 4:16) and the apostle Paul pointed to the justification of Abraham to show that the gospel he was preaching was not in violation of the teachings of the Law and the Prophets. Abraham, before he was justified, was an idolater (Joshua 24:1-3) and therefore wasn’t justified on the basis of works. Since this was true of Abraham then even Abraham had nothing to boast about in his justification (Romans 4:2) because his justification wasn’t based on what he did but on what Someone else did (John 8:56).
Abraham was justified by faith and not works (Romans 4:3). The word “credited” or “counted” or “reckoned” or “imputed”, however it is translated, comes from a Greek word that means, “to put to ones account.” It is a banking term and it is used eleven times in this chapter. Since Abraham did not earn his justification through works but instead it was credited to him, Abraham’s justification was a gift and was not earned (Romans 4:4-5). Wages are earned. Wages are what are due for work done (Romans 4:4). The last thing Abraham would have wanted was for God to give him what was due him for the work of his idolatry and sin. Credit is unearned; it is a gift of grace (Romans 4:5). Abraham received what he didn’t deserve and didn’t receive what he did deserve because of faith in God concerning His testimony about His Son (1 John 5:10).
Second, the truth that justification is by faith and not works is proven by the Prophets (Romans 4:6-8; Psalm 32:1-2).
God credits righteousness to man apart from any of his own works and based solely on the work of Another – if anyone works God pays the wages that is due (Romans 4:6). One can either trust the finished work of Christ or his own work. He can receive justification as a gift or he can receive condemnation as a wage because of failing to live perfectly in the light of God’s Law.
It is not on the basis of works that any man will be justified because God justifies lawless, ungodly sinners (Romans 4:7). What work can a lawless, ungodly sinner do to be justified? Justification by the Law is out of reach for any born in Adam. Justification is only brought near and in reach through faith in Jesus Christ the second Adam (Romans 10:8-13). For the one who has faith in the finished work of Christ – His upholding the precepts of the Law through His sinless life; His upholding the penalty of the Law through His sacrificial death; and His uphold the Person of the Law through His supernatural resurrection – God removes the sinners record and replaces it with Christ’s record (Romans 4:8). In this there is a double imputation. Our sin was imputed to Christ and His righteousness was imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
How great is our God!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Faith Establishes the Law
The principle of faith through gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ isn’t contradictory to the Law but actually is that which establishes the Law. Just as in the days of Paul when many of his Jewish kinsmen believed that the message of justification by grace through faith nullified the Law, so it is for many in our day who believe that justification by grace through faith contradicts God’s Law and holy living. However, it is justification by grace through faith that actually establishes and fulfills the Law and all other ways are doomed to failure and condemnation – based on the Law itself.
Justification by grace through faith establishes the Law in at least five ways: (1) the principles or precepts of the Law were fulfilled in the sinless life of Christ, (2) the penalty for violating the Law was fulfilled in the sacrificial death of Christ, (3) the probity of the Person of the Law was fulfilled in the supernatural resurrection of Christ, (4) the purpose for giving the Law was fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ, and (5) the potential for fulfilling the Law is possible in loving and living for Christ – the One who loved us and gave Himself up for us.
First, the principles or precepts of the Law were fulfilled in the sinless life of Christ. The entire Law can be summed up in two commandments – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ did perfectly. He never sinned against God and He never sinned against man. The entire Law was completely and perfectly fulfilled in His sinless life – a feat that no other man has or can perform. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the principles and precepts of the Law and that we are incapable of doing it ourselves.
Second, the penalty for violating the Law was fulfilled in the sacrificial death of Christ. The penalty for violating the Law is death and condemnation. “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, to perform them’” (Galatians 3:10). Since we all have failed to abide by all things written in the book of the Law we are under a curse and the death penalty. However, since Jesus Christ fulfilled the principles and precepts of the Law and did not deserve to die – He had no sin – His death was sacrificial as a substitute. Christ paid the penalty that the Law requires for being violated. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the penalty for violating the Law although He never violated the Law.
Third, the probity of the Person of the Law was fulfilled in the supernatural resurrection of Christ. First let me define probity. Probity means integrity or uprightness. God the Father is the Person of the Law and is right or just in all that He does. This means that the resurrection of Christ proved His innocence and established the justness of God in not allowing a sinless Man to die for crimes that He didn’t commit and remain dead. This proved the death of Christ to be sacrificial and God to be just in all His dealings. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the probity of the Person of the Law.
Fourth, the purpose for giving the Law was fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ. The Law was given in order that transgressions would be defined (Galatians 3:19) and men would see for sure that they are sinners in need of a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Therefore the Law and the promises (Gospel) are not contrary (Galatians 3:21-22). The Law witnesses to the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ and that no man can be saved by the Law (Romans 3:21-22, 28). Faith in Christ establishes that the purpose for giving the Law has been fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ.
Fifth, the potential for fulfilling the Law is possible in loving and living for Christ. As we walk according to the Spirit and not according to flesh because of our love for Christ and union with Him the requirement of the Law will be fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4) because He will not lead us into rebellion but obedience. Our faith in Christ causes us to become obedient from the heart (Romans 6:17-19), to exhibit the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5), and to obey Christ because we love Him (John 14:15). Faith in Christ establishes the potential for fulfilling the Law through loving and living for Christ.
Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law (Romans 3:31).
Justification by grace through faith establishes the Law in at least five ways: (1) the principles or precepts of the Law were fulfilled in the sinless life of Christ, (2) the penalty for violating the Law was fulfilled in the sacrificial death of Christ, (3) the probity of the Person of the Law was fulfilled in the supernatural resurrection of Christ, (4) the purpose for giving the Law was fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ, and (5) the potential for fulfilling the Law is possible in loving and living for Christ – the One who loved us and gave Himself up for us.
First, the principles or precepts of the Law were fulfilled in the sinless life of Christ. The entire Law can be summed up in two commandments – Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ did perfectly. He never sinned against God and He never sinned against man. The entire Law was completely and perfectly fulfilled in His sinless life – a feat that no other man has or can perform. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the principles and precepts of the Law and that we are incapable of doing it ourselves.
Second, the penalty for violating the Law was fulfilled in the sacrificial death of Christ. The penalty for violating the Law is death and condemnation. “For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, to perform them’” (Galatians 3:10). Since we all have failed to abide by all things written in the book of the Law we are under a curse and the death penalty. However, since Jesus Christ fulfilled the principles and precepts of the Law and did not deserve to die – He had no sin – His death was sacrificial as a substitute. Christ paid the penalty that the Law requires for being violated. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the penalty for violating the Law although He never violated the Law.
Third, the probity of the Person of the Law was fulfilled in the supernatural resurrection of Christ. First let me define probity. Probity means integrity or uprightness. God the Father is the Person of the Law and is right or just in all that He does. This means that the resurrection of Christ proved His innocence and established the justness of God in not allowing a sinless Man to die for crimes that He didn’t commit and remain dead. This proved the death of Christ to be sacrificial and God to be just in all His dealings. Faith in Christ establishes that Christ fulfilled the probity of the Person of the Law.
Fourth, the purpose for giving the Law was fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ. The Law was given in order that transgressions would be defined (Galatians 3:19) and men would see for sure that they are sinners in need of a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Therefore the Law and the promises (Gospel) are not contrary (Galatians 3:21-22). The Law witnesses to the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ and that no man can be saved by the Law (Romans 3:21-22, 28). Faith in Christ establishes that the purpose for giving the Law has been fulfilled in driving men to faith in Christ.
Fifth, the potential for fulfilling the Law is possible in loving and living for Christ. As we walk according to the Spirit and not according to flesh because of our love for Christ and union with Him the requirement of the Law will be fulfilled in us (Romans 8:4) because He will not lead us into rebellion but obedience. Our faith in Christ causes us to become obedient from the heart (Romans 6:17-19), to exhibit the obedience of faith (Romans 1:5), and to obey Christ because we love Him (John 14:15). Faith in Christ establishes the potential for fulfilling the Law through loving and living for Christ.
Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law (Romans 3:31).
Monday, August 31, 2009
Boasting Excluded
“Boasting is the response of pride to success. Boasting: ‘I deserve praise because I’ve achieved so much’” (John Piper). Since boasting is the response of pride to success and boasting says, “I deserve praise because I’ve achieved so much,” then we should not be surprised at all when we learn that boasting in our salvation as though we had anything to contribute to it will be excluded. This is what Romans 3:27-30 teaches.
There will be no human pride in the redemption of any sinner because not one single sinner has ever contributed even the smallest iota to his or her salvation. The only thing that we as sinners have achieved is we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We have broken God’s Law, we have all turned aside, each one has turned to his own way, and together we have become useless (Romans 3:10-12).
Consider your salvation and see the truth that you have absolutely nothing to boast about in yourself:
1. You were guilty before God and deserving His wrath and condemnation (Romans 3:9-20).
2. You were justified apart from the Law (Romans 3:21) or you could never be saved because you cannot keep the Law.
3. You were justified by faith in Christ (Romans 3:22-23) or you could never be saved because only He could keep the Law and then die a sacrificial death for the Law you have already broken.
4. You were justified as a gift by His grace without any cause in you (Romans 3:24) or else you could never be saved because there is nothing in you that deserves the gift of justification.
5. You were justified by the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24) because Jesus achieved it all and you achieved nothing.
6. You were justified by God giving you mercy in a legal manner through Christ who upheld the Law in principle through His sinless life and in penalty through His sacrificial death (Romans 3:25) or else you could never be saved because there would be no mercy.
7. You were justified on the basis of your faith in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only means in which God could remain just in justifying the guilty (Romans 3:26) or else you could never be saved because God will in no wise justify the ungodly in an illegal manner that would cause Him to be unjust.
Where then is boasting (Romans 3:27)? It is excluded! What did you achieve? Nothing! What did you contribute to your salvation? Nothing! What good was there in you that caused you to deserve the gift of justification? None! Where then is boasting? “For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). It is excluded!
What did God achieve through Jesus Christ in our redemption? Everything! In whom then should we boast? “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Who gets the glory? He does (1 Corinthians 1:31)!
Where then is boasting in what you have achieved? Gone! Silenced! Excluded! “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Romans 3:28).
Where then is boasting in being God’s chosen people? Gone! Silenced! Excluded! “Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one” (Romans 3:29-30).
Boasting is excluded for all!
There will be no human pride in the redemption of any sinner because not one single sinner has ever contributed even the smallest iota to his or her salvation. The only thing that we as sinners have achieved is we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We have broken God’s Law, we have all turned aside, each one has turned to his own way, and together we have become useless (Romans 3:10-12).
Consider your salvation and see the truth that you have absolutely nothing to boast about in yourself:
1. You were guilty before God and deserving His wrath and condemnation (Romans 3:9-20).
2. You were justified apart from the Law (Romans 3:21) or you could never be saved because you cannot keep the Law.
3. You were justified by faith in Christ (Romans 3:22-23) or you could never be saved because only He could keep the Law and then die a sacrificial death for the Law you have already broken.
4. You were justified as a gift by His grace without any cause in you (Romans 3:24) or else you could never be saved because there is nothing in you that deserves the gift of justification.
5. You were justified by the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24) because Jesus achieved it all and you achieved nothing.
6. You were justified by God giving you mercy in a legal manner through Christ who upheld the Law in principle through His sinless life and in penalty through His sacrificial death (Romans 3:25) or else you could never be saved because there would be no mercy.
7. You were justified on the basis of your faith in the sinless life, sacrificial death, and supernatural resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only means in which God could remain just in justifying the guilty (Romans 3:26) or else you could never be saved because God will in no wise justify the ungodly in an illegal manner that would cause Him to be unjust.
Where then is boasting (Romans 3:27)? It is excluded! What did you achieve? Nothing! What did you contribute to your salvation? Nothing! What good was there in you that caused you to deserve the gift of justification? None! Where then is boasting? “For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). It is excluded!
What did God achieve through Jesus Christ in our redemption? Everything! In whom then should we boast? “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). Who gets the glory? He does (1 Corinthians 1:31)!
Where then is boasting in what you have achieved? Gone! Silenced! Excluded! “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Romans 3:28).
Where then is boasting in being God’s chosen people? Gone! Silenced! Excluded! “Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one” (Romans 3:29-30).
Boasting is excluded for all!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Ex-plaining the Gospel and ex-tending an invitation?
You should excogitate your execrable nature that brought about the execution and exequy of the sinless Son of God whom God set forth as an exposition of the exclusive way that He can expiate your exigible debt. Not only that, Jesus Christ was exonerated through His resurrection from the dead so that God is exonerated and the exonerator of the one who exercises faith in Christ.
Therefore to this exigent matter I exhort you to excoriate your excuses and exercise faith in Christ, exulting in His exoneration and extolling Jesus as ex-officio head!
Therefore to this exigent matter I exhort you to excoriate your excuses and exercise faith in Christ, exulting in His exoneration and extolling Jesus as ex-officio head!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Christ: The Mercy Seat
In our study of the good news so far in Romans 3:21-25 we have seen some very wonderful aspects of this good news. First we saw in Romans 3:21 that God’s righteousness does not come by works of the Law. This is good news because if God’s righteousness does come by works of the Law then no man can be saved because no man can keep God’s Law. If the righteousness of God comes by works of the Law then it is way too far out of every man’s reach. But verse 21 says, “But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested….” To which every hopeless and helpless sinner should proclaim, “Hallelujah – this is indeed good news!”
Second we saw in Romans 3:22 that God’s righteousness does come by faith in Jesus Christ. This is good news because now that which was impossible for us to attain and was totally out of our reach has now been brought near and within our grasp by the work of Another on our behalf. Since the righteousness of God comes by faith in Jesus Christ it is very near as Romans 10:8-13 says, “But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart – that is the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Third we saw in Romans 3:23 that God’s righteousness is provided for any sinner who will believe. This is good news because all have sinned, whether Jew or Greek, and whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed. There is no partiality with God and nothing makes one man more or less savable than another.
Fourth we saw in Romans 3:24 that God’s righteousness is provided as a gift to believing sinners without any cause in them to earn or merit the gift. This is extremely good news or only those who were smart enough or rich enough or famous enough or powerful enough or whatever enough could be saved. As believers we would do well to remember that God has declared us righteous without any cause in us, based solely on His grace, through the redemption from sin’s penalty that is in Christ Jesus.
Fifth we saw in Romans 3:25 that God’s righteousness which is provided to us as a gift of His grace was purchased at a great price and high cost to God. This is good news because the only way that a holy God could justify sinners and remain just Himself in the process was through the sinless life and sacrificial death of a willing Substitute on behalf of guilty sinners. This was none other than the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God did not have to give His Son and could have justly sent us all to hell. But even at such a great price and high cost to Himself, God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all (Romans 8:32). What a loving God we serve!
Now let’s look a little deeper into this matter of the great price and high cost that God paid for the gift of our salvation. We will do this by considering Christ as the mercy seat.
Our text says, “Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith” (Romans 3:25). If you have the NIV it says, “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25 NIV). The word used here for “propitiation” or “sacrifice of atonement” means a sacrifice that turns away, satisfies, or appeases God’s holy wrath against sinners who have violated and not upheld His holy Law. So in propitiation the just wrath of God as the just penalty of God’s Law against ungodly, law-breaking sinners is turned away, appeased, or satisfied because His Law has been actually upheld through His wrath having been actually poured out on a sinless substitute.
So to speak of the cross of Christ as a propitiation or sacrifice of atonement is to speak of the sinless life of Christ and the sacrificial death of Christ as the only means of satisfying the justice of God and the only grounds by which He may extend mercy to any sinner. The Hebrew equivalent to the Greek word used for propitiation is used in the Old Testament in reference to the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, where the high priest went once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to make sacrifice on behalf of the people. Therefore we could translate this verse as “whom God displayed publicly as a mercy seat in His blood through faith."
This brings us to one of the most wonderful illustrations of the work of Christ that is to be found in the whole Bible – Christ: the Mercy Seat! In order to understand this illustration and what Christ accomplished we must go back to the Old Testament and explain the symbolism of the work of Christ as found in Ark of the Covenant.
First though, we will start with Moses’ going up on Mount Sinai and receiving the two tablets of stone on which God wrote His Ten Commandments. While Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai and receiving Ten Commandments he was also receiving instructions from God on the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. In Exodus 25:10-22 we read about the instructions for constructing the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 25:16 we read that the two tablets which contained the Law of God was to be put into the ark. In Exodus 25:17-21 we read about the instructions for constructing the mercy seat, the lid for the Ark of the Covenant. “You shall make a mercy seat…” literally a propitiatory (Exodus 25:17).
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving not only the Ten Commandments on the two tablets of stone, he was also receiving all the necessary instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the proper regulations of divine worship (see Hebrews 9:1-5). But because Moses was gone for so long the people got out of control (Exodus 32:25), made a golden calf, and offered it burnt offerings and peace offerings; and the people entered into immorality (Exodus 32:1-6).
So when Moses came down with the Law in his hands which he was supposed to put into the Ark of the Covenant after its construction, he became angry and threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19). But God commanded Moses to bring two new tablets and He once again wrote the Ten Commandments on the new tablets (Exodus 34:1, 28). These unbroken tablets of God’s Law were placed in the Ark of the Covenant when the tabernacle was erected and the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 40:17-21).
The broken tablets speak of man’s inability to keep God’s Law. However, the unbroken tablets speak of the Lord Jesus Christ, who in the fullness of time, was born of a woman, born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly. Just as the unbroken Law was kept in the Ark of the Covenant so the Lord Jesus Christ kept the Law totally and therefore He was without sin, without spot, and without blemish.
But the Ark of the Covenant had on it a lid called the mercy seat. Inside the Ark was the unbroken Law which demands justice through the execution of any sinner. There is no mercy in the Law – only justice – but God in His love has provided a way to maintain the justice of His Law and to extend mercy. This is the purpose of the mercy seat. At each end of the mercy seat were two cherubim (Exodus 25:18). It was on the mercy seat in between the two cherubim that once a year the high priest came in and sprinkled the blood of the lamb on the mercy seat showing that the payment for sin against the Law had been made by an innocent substitute – one that had not violated or broken the Law. The reason that flawless animals were required by God in the sacrificial system is because they were to illustrate the flawless life of the Lord Jesus Christ who would then die to uphold the justice of God’s Law in order that God could legally extend mercy to those who would receive it.
So in essence, the Mercy Seat was an illustration of the death bed of the innocent substitute who would never break God’s Law but who would die for those who had. “But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying” (John 20:11-12).
Second we saw in Romans 3:22 that God’s righteousness does come by faith in Jesus Christ. This is good news because now that which was impossible for us to attain and was totally out of our reach has now been brought near and within our grasp by the work of Another on our behalf. Since the righteousness of God comes by faith in Jesus Christ it is very near as Romans 10:8-13 says, “But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart – that is the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Third we saw in Romans 3:23 that God’s righteousness is provided for any sinner who will believe. This is good news because all have sinned, whether Jew or Greek, and whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed. There is no partiality with God and nothing makes one man more or less savable than another.
Fourth we saw in Romans 3:24 that God’s righteousness is provided as a gift to believing sinners without any cause in them to earn or merit the gift. This is extremely good news or only those who were smart enough or rich enough or famous enough or powerful enough or whatever enough could be saved. As believers we would do well to remember that God has declared us righteous without any cause in us, based solely on His grace, through the redemption from sin’s penalty that is in Christ Jesus.
Fifth we saw in Romans 3:25 that God’s righteousness which is provided to us as a gift of His grace was purchased at a great price and high cost to God. This is good news because the only way that a holy God could justify sinners and remain just Himself in the process was through the sinless life and sacrificial death of a willing Substitute on behalf of guilty sinners. This was none other than the sinless Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. God did not have to give His Son and could have justly sent us all to hell. But even at such a great price and high cost to Himself, God did not spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all (Romans 8:32). What a loving God we serve!
Now let’s look a little deeper into this matter of the great price and high cost that God paid for the gift of our salvation. We will do this by considering Christ as the mercy seat.
Our text says, “Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith” (Romans 3:25). If you have the NIV it says, “God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood” (Romans 3:25 NIV). The word used here for “propitiation” or “sacrifice of atonement” means a sacrifice that turns away, satisfies, or appeases God’s holy wrath against sinners who have violated and not upheld His holy Law. So in propitiation the just wrath of God as the just penalty of God’s Law against ungodly, law-breaking sinners is turned away, appeased, or satisfied because His Law has been actually upheld through His wrath having been actually poured out on a sinless substitute.
So to speak of the cross of Christ as a propitiation or sacrifice of atonement is to speak of the sinless life of Christ and the sacrificial death of Christ as the only means of satisfying the justice of God and the only grounds by which He may extend mercy to any sinner. The Hebrew equivalent to the Greek word used for propitiation is used in the Old Testament in reference to the Mercy Seat in the Holy of Holies, where the high priest went once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to make sacrifice on behalf of the people. Therefore we could translate this verse as “whom God displayed publicly as a mercy seat in His blood through faith."
This brings us to one of the most wonderful illustrations of the work of Christ that is to be found in the whole Bible – Christ: the Mercy Seat! In order to understand this illustration and what Christ accomplished we must go back to the Old Testament and explain the symbolism of the work of Christ as found in Ark of the Covenant.
First though, we will start with Moses’ going up on Mount Sinai and receiving the two tablets of stone on which God wrote His Ten Commandments. While Moses was meeting with God on Mount Sinai and receiving Ten Commandments he was also receiving instructions from God on the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. In Exodus 25:10-22 we read about the instructions for constructing the Ark of the Covenant. In Exodus 25:16 we read that the two tablets which contained the Law of God was to be put into the ark. In Exodus 25:17-21 we read about the instructions for constructing the mercy seat, the lid for the Ark of the Covenant. “You shall make a mercy seat…” literally a propitiatory (Exodus 25:17).
While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving not only the Ten Commandments on the two tablets of stone, he was also receiving all the necessary instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and the proper regulations of divine worship (see Hebrews 9:1-5). But because Moses was gone for so long the people got out of control (Exodus 32:25), made a golden calf, and offered it burnt offerings and peace offerings; and the people entered into immorality (Exodus 32:1-6).
So when Moses came down with the Law in his hands which he was supposed to put into the Ark of the Covenant after its construction, he became angry and threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19). But God commanded Moses to bring two new tablets and He once again wrote the Ten Commandments on the new tablets (Exodus 34:1, 28). These unbroken tablets of God’s Law were placed in the Ark of the Covenant when the tabernacle was erected and the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies (Exodus 40:17-21).
The broken tablets speak of man’s inability to keep God’s Law. However, the unbroken tablets speak of the Lord Jesus Christ, who in the fullness of time, was born of a woman, born under the Law, and kept the Law perfectly. Just as the unbroken Law was kept in the Ark of the Covenant so the Lord Jesus Christ kept the Law totally and therefore He was without sin, without spot, and without blemish.
But the Ark of the Covenant had on it a lid called the mercy seat. Inside the Ark was the unbroken Law which demands justice through the execution of any sinner. There is no mercy in the Law – only justice – but God in His love has provided a way to maintain the justice of His Law and to extend mercy. This is the purpose of the mercy seat. At each end of the mercy seat were two cherubim (Exodus 25:18). It was on the mercy seat in between the two cherubim that once a year the high priest came in and sprinkled the blood of the lamb on the mercy seat showing that the payment for sin against the Law had been made by an innocent substitute – one that had not violated or broken the Law. The reason that flawless animals were required by God in the sacrificial system is because they were to illustrate the flawless life of the Lord Jesus Christ who would then die to uphold the justice of God’s Law in order that God could legally extend mercy to those who would receive it.
So in essence, the Mercy Seat was an illustration of the death bed of the innocent substitute who would never break God’s Law but who would die for those who had. “But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying” (John 20:11-12).
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