Christ Is The End Of The Law For Righteousness, To Everyone That Believes - Part 2572

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death ..." (Philippians 3:8-10)

"... to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of Him which believes in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." (Romans 3:26-28)

Before beginning, it's important to recognize that the Lord Jesus chose apostle Paul (formerly Saul) to teach the Gentiles. This is the same Paul that wrote a healthy portion of the New Testament. Paul was also very highly educated -- considered the Pharisee of Pharisees. The other point worth observing is that the Lord planned a brand new thing in the New Testament - not an add-on to the old testament.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead; otherwise, is it of no strength at all while the testator lives." (Hebrews 9:15-18) 

This is why Paul taught that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. (Romans 10:4) Because now, in this current dispensation of grace, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets. 

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference ..." (Romans 3:20-22)

As we know, the Lord levelled the playing field between the Israelites and the Gentiles -- "for God hath concluded them all in unbelief." (Romans 9:6-8) Unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference. (Romans 14:23) 

"Knowing this, that he law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless." (I Timothy 1:9) 

Why? So that the Lord might have mercy upon each and every one of us. (Romans 3:23) In sum then, the law became a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. 

"Wherefore then serve 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 b faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have ben 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 ar all one in Christ Jesus.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Galatians 3:19-29) 

"Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:22) This is the same Jesus the Christ who said, "I AM the bread of life." (John 8:35, 48) "For the bread of God is He which comes down from heaven, and he that believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 8:33, 58) You see, Moses did not give the bread from heaven, but as Jesus said, "My Father gives you the true bread from heaven." (John 8:32, 50) 

The same Jesus who said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) 

Why is this important? Because in today's modern day religious culture, there are many that have turned aside from the truth -- unto vain jangling, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

"Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: from which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." (I Timothy 1:5-7) 

In another place, Paul writes, "but to love one another: for he that loves another hath fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8) And "therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." (Romans 13:10)

For all the law is fulfilled in one word -- even this -- "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 

So the message for this day? 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)

No greater good news message than the greatest love story ever told -- that God Himself loved us so much that He would willingly clothe Himself in sin-prone flesh (yet without sin) so that you and I might experience abundant life in Him.

Stand in the offering plate.