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Commentary on "In the Loom of Heaven"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 4: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - Without the Law

 

Overview

Today’s theme text, Rom. 3:21-31, includes the phrase; ‘apart from the Law God’s righteousness is revealed’.

 

Observations

In today’s lesson there is an attempt to maintain the perpetuity of the law’, and at the same time, make the orthodox statement that redemption is not found in ‘law keeping’. Either our keeping the law has a part in maintaining our salvation or it doesn’t. One thing is for sure. It cannot be both. So, which is it?

Earlier this week, the statement was made that Jesus perfectly obeyed the law. So what? As the theme passage for today so clearly states, God’s righteousness is revealed apart from the law. So, what does it mean in Rom. 3:31 where it says; ‘we uphold the law’? For a biblical perspective let’s back up to verse nineteen:

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it says to those who are under its control, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become liable to divine retribution; because not a single human being will be made righteous in God’s sight through observance of the Law. For through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-20 (MLB)

The purpose and function of the Mosaic Law reveals what sin is but was never the solution. Jesus Christ, not the Law or the imposable task of keep the Law, is the one and only solution.

In plain English what this is saying is that the Mosaic Law, God’s ‘minimum standard’ of righteousness, is something all sinners fail to keep and obey. If there is to be any salvation for any sinner there must be a solution of another sort. Romans chapter three points us to the faith of Abraham in chapter four. And, Abraham’s faith points to our faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in the promises of God has always point to Jesus Christ who has always been God’s intended solution for mankind’s sin.

 

Summary

  1. The Mosaic Law and sinful mankind’s failure to keep even a small fraction of this law exposes the utter filthiness of our ‘righteousness’. Thus, this law reveals sin for what it is.
  2. The law written upon the hearts of New Covenant Christians by the Holy Spirit in Romans chapter eight is not the Mosaic Law of the Old Covenant.

 

GO TO DAY 5

 

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