RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH -- Tomorrow:
"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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)
Devotion 6 of 24
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested . . . "
This righteousness – the righteousness that is made known in the Gospel, and imputed to believers – is made known "without," "apart from," or separate from, the Law. While the Law of Moses, given as a covenant to Israel, is the particular focus, this word applies to any law. The only righteousness God will receive is NOT made known through, or facilitated by, the principle of law. How poignantly the Spirit says it. "I do not nullify [or "frustrate" – KJV] the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly" (Gal 2:21, NASB). Those, therefore, who seek to produce righteousness by adherence to a moral code or by means of a routine or procedure, have nullified God's grace for themselves. They have embraced a religion that has no need for Jesus, and have therefore thrust the righteousness of God from themselves.
This does not mean the Law itself is unrighteous. Rather, it confirms the Law holds up a standard that the natural man, or the man who is not born again, cannot attain. It is IMPOSSIBLE for man to become righteous because of what he does, or by means of law – any law. Thus it is written, "Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law" (Gal 3:21). The way out of sin is not through law, commandments, or procedure of any kind. If a God-given law could not retrieve men from the fall and enable them to be righteous, there is NO law that can do so.
Thus "the righteousness of God" is revealed to us "without the law ("KJV), or "apart from the law." There is a good reason for this. Righteousness is appropriated by faith, and the Law has nothing whatsoever to do with faith. As it is written, "The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them" (Gal 3:12, NIV). Nowhere does the Law require faith, or give a promise to those who will believe. Law operates on a different principle. It is based upon DOING, not believing. "The man who DOES these things will live by them" (Rom 10:5).Thus, if men are to learn of and experience "the righteousness of God," they must be delivered from the notion that they can become righteous by DOING. The emphasis must be placed upon believing, otherwise righteousness is beyond our reach. This does not eliminate doing, but rather makes acceptable doing possible, for without the righteousness of God, it is not possible to do the will of God. As it is written, "If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness IS born of Him" (1 John 2:29). And again, "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness IS righteous, even as he is righteous" (1 John 3:7). This, doing righteousness is the evidence of its possession, not the cause of it.
IS REVEALED
Because this righteousness comes from God, it is said to be "revealed," or "manifested" (KJV). The word used here (manifested or revealed) means something that already exists is made known, or becomes apparent. This does not speak of something that develops, and then appears by virtue of its growth. Rather, it is something already developed that is opened up to the understanding of men. Further, until it is revealed, it is not possible to know of it. By it's very nature, the thing to be revealed is hidden from human understanding. No amount of mental discipline or diligent search will discover it. If a thing can be known by human effort, revelation is not necessary. However, the righteousness of which our text speaks was "hidden" until God revealed it. It ought to be obvious that it cannot possibly be the result of our doing.
For example, men of extraordinarily disciplined minds may study the complexities of nature, yet they will NEVER come upon "the righteousness of God" – i.e. the righteousness that man must have if God is to receive him. Nature does not testify of God's righteousness, but of His "eternal power and Godhead," or Divinity (Rom 1:20). Those possessing astute powers of reason may probe the moral requirements of God, yet they will not discover a righteousness that can be given to men. This is a provision that must be revealed. The good news is that it has been made known through the Gospel of Christ. It is not made known through something that is seen, like creation. It is not revealed through requirements, like the Law. Rather, it is manifested through a message of Divine accomplishment and provision.
Law discovers sin, defining it and convicting of it. But it cannot produce a righteousness that finds the sinner free from sin and able to stand confidently before the Lord. When it comes to the revelation of the righteousness of God, we must come higher than Law can bring us.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You that we have not been confined to the Law. I see that once it has brought us to Christ, we are delivered from its condemnation.