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).