In what ways can we "uphold the law" through faith in Christ? Focus Verse Romans 3:31: “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law.” What Paul Is Saying • Faith in Jesus does not throw God’s commands into the trash bin. • Trusting Christ places us inside the very purpose of the law—pointing us to Him and shaping us to reflect His righteousness. Faith Fulfills, Not Abolishes • Matthew 5:17—Jesus came “to fulfill” the Law and the Prophets. • Romans 8:4—“The righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” • Galatians 3:24—The law was a guardian leading us to Christ; once we’re in Him, we graduate into Spirit-empowered obedience. Ways We Uphold the Law Through Faith • Rest in Christ’s Perfect Obedience – His sinless life is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). – We honor the law by acknowledging its demand for absolute righteousness—met in Him. • Welcome the Law Written on Our Hearts – Hebrews 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33—God inscribes His standards within us. – The Spirit reshapes desires so obedience flows from the inside out. • Walk by the Spirit, Not the Flesh – Galatians 5:16-25—The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, etc.; “against such things there is no law.” – As we yield daily, we naturally do what the law requires. • Love God and Neighbor – Matthew 22:37-40—All law hangs on these two commands. – Romans 13:8-10—Love “fulfills the law.” Faith expresses itself through active, sacrificial love. • Practice Good Works Prepared by God – Ephesians 2:10—We are created in Christ for good works. – Titus 2:14—He redeems us to be “zealous for good deeds,” showing the law’s moral beauty in everyday life. Guarded Freedom—Avoiding Licentiousness • Freedom from law-keeping as a means of salvation never becomes freedom to sin (Romans 6:1-2). • Faith motivates gratitude, not lawlessness. True believers cannot comfortably persist in rebellion (1 John 3:6-9). Practical Takeaways Today • Start each day remembering Christ’s finished work—confidence replaces condemnation (Romans 8:1). • Invite the Spirit to rule thoughts, words, and actions; His impulses align with God’s commands. • Let Scripture correct and train (2 Timothy 3:16-17); studying and obeying are partners, not rivals. • Express love tangibly—serve, forgive, give generously; in doing so, you showcase the law’s heart. • When you fail, run back to the cross, receive cleansing (1 John 1:9), and keep walking—perseverance honors the lawgiver. Christ brings us into a life where the law’s righteousness is no longer a distant benchmark but an everyday reality empowered by His Spirit. In Him, faith and obedience stand together, fulfilling Romans 3:31: we uphold the law through faith. |
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