Wherefore Then Serveth the Law? It Was Added Because of Transgressions - Part 1299

This post is a continuation of Part 1298, intended to further elaborate on the discussion on grace and righteousness. "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)

Thus, continuing Romans 4:

"Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also described the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputes righteousness without works, saying, "Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered." Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Romans 4:4-8)

In defining the intended meaning of works, what is meant is working for one's own righteousness. "For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

In writing to the Israelite's to whom the law was actually given, Paul said, "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, "That the man which doeth those things shall live by them." (Romans 10:3-5)

But we are not of the law, because throughout the old covenant, we who were not Jews were considered the heathen. But the Jews rejected Jesus and when these did, Jesus brought His gift of grace -- His salvation -- peace and good will to all, including the Gentiles. We who were considered the uncircumcision in the scriptures -- a chosen people who were not originally a chosen people. Thus, the following question.

"Come this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: and the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." (Romans 4:9-13)

Let's read that last part again -- "For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." (Romans 4:13)

In other words, it was not the law wherein we earned or were gifted the righteousness of faith, but through faith in Christ Jesus. Read on ...

"For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect, because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens the dead, and calls those things which be not as though they were.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, "So shall thy seed be." (Romans 4:18)

And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, he was able also to perform --- and therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." (Romans 4:14-25)

Now for the remainder of this teaching, we will finish the scriptures found in the third chapter of Galatians.

"Brethren, I speak after the manner of men. "Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto."

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, "And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to Thy seed, which is Christ." And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is One.

Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.

But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

But BEFORE faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But AFTER that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:15-29)

The children of promise -- the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. His finished works on the cross, wherein we are justified and sanctified through His precious blood on the cross. Not because of what we can do (or might do) but because He -- God manifest in the flesh -- paid the price for our sin in full.

Now that is love. That is grace. And the sacrifice that our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ made on the cross is the greatest love story ever told, because He gave His life for us while we were yet His enemies. Ask Jesus into your life today. Search His goodness and grace by reading and studying the new testament -- the current dispensation of grace in which we live. 

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)

Stand in the offering plate.