THE EFFICACIOUS NATURE OF FAITH "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by THE LAW OF FAITH" (Rom 3:27). -- Tomorrow:
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor 5:7)
Devotion 5 of 24
THE LAW OF FAITH
The necessity of denying ungodliness and living righteously is acknowledged by most professing believers. Of course, whether it is acknowledged or not, this is the case, for the grace of God instructs us to live in such a manner (Tit 1:11-12). There is not, however, unanimity in the approach to accomplishing these objectives. By nature, humanity reverts to the law principle to achieve religious results. Disciplinary procedures are taught and set in motion to achieve an acceptable manner of life. Routine is revered, and "habit" is presented as though it made one acceptable to God.
God has made clear that the law principle cannot produce a godly life. After 1,500 years of Law – God-ordained Law – there was "none righteous, no not one" (Rom. 3:10-12). In spite of detailed requirements and multitudinous threats, the covenanted people of Israel remained estranged from the God that called them and yearned for them. In all of the world there was not a single man who had achieved righteousness by means of Law, or being told what and what not to do.
In Christ a higher principle is in effect: "the law of faith." Hear the Word of the Lord. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith" (Romans 3:27). What is "the law of faith"? The RSV and NIV translate the Greek word as "principle." Academically, as used in Scripture, this word means "a law or rule producing a state approved of God." But this definition falls far short of the intentions of the Holy Spirit.
The "law," or principle "of works" was dominant before Jesus. Under the administration of the Old Covenant, the people themselves were at a fundamental variance with God. Their natures were bent away from Him. They did not think like God, and thus were prone to wander from Him. Thus it is written that their hearts were "far from Him" (Isa 29:13; Matt 15:8), and their "thoughts" and "ways" were at a variance with His (Isa 55:8-9).
The Law was given more to keep their recalcitrant natures in check than to provide a means to be saved. Meanwhile, given due heed, the Law convinced men that they were guilty of sin. It "stopped the mouths" of everyone exposed to it, proving that they were under the dominion of sin, unable to extricate themselves. That, of course, was one of the Divine intents behind the Law – "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Rom 3:19).
Telling people what they should do – even in meticulous detail – did not produce moral purity. Having defined sin (Rom. 3:19-20), the Law provided NO means of recovery – NO grace, NO mercy, NO newness of life. After 1,500 years, no one achieved Divine acceptance upon the basis of their accomplishments! Hear the lament of the prophets. "They are ALL gone astray . . . there is NONE righteous, no not one . . . ALL of our righteousness do fade as a leaf . . . " (Isa. 53:6; 64:6; Rom. 3:12).
The "Law of faith" is an entirely different principle. It draws rather than drives. It appeals to the heart instead of threatening with imminent cursing. The individual who is dominated by hope is resting in what the Lord has done instead of his own personal accomplishments. The covering of the past and the opening of the future provide strong incentives to please the Lord.
Those who walk by faith are motivated by the Gospel of Christ. Their persuasion of the effectiveness of Christ's death and intercession compel them to put the world behind them and stretch toward the prize of their high calling.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a principle that brings men to You instead of driving them from You.