What does "God did what the law was powerless to do" mean for believers? Setting the Stage: The Law’s Limits • Romans 8:3: “For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh.” • “Powerless” points to the Law’s inability to produce righteousness in fallen people (Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:21). • The weakness is not in the Law itself—God’s Law is holy and good (Romans 7:12)—but in human flesh corrupted by sin. What God Did—and How 1. Sent His own Son • John 3:16; Galatians 4:4—Jesus entered history fully God and fully man, without sin. • He came “in the likeness of sinful man”—truly human, yet unstained by Adam’s rebellion (Hebrews 4:15). 2. Became a sin offering • Isaiah 53:10; Hebrews 10:12—Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system foreshadowed by every burnt offering. • 2 Corinthians 5:21: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 3. Condemned sin in the flesh • At the cross, God judged sin once for all (Colossians 2:14). • The verdict falls on Jesus, not on the believer; the penalty is paid, the case closed (Romans 8:1). What the Law Couldn’t Do • Provide true righteousness—The Law defines sin but can’t cure it (Romans 7:13). • Empower obedience—Rules reveal the gap; they do not bridge it (Hebrews 7:18-19). • Remove guilt—Animal sacrifices could “never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). What God’s Action Means for Believers • Full acceptance – Romans 5:1—Justified by faith, we stand in peace. – Ephesians 2:8-9—Salvation is gift, not achievement. • New power to obey – Romans 8:4—“so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:16—The Spirit enables what rules alone never could. • Freedom from condemnation – Romans 8:1—No double jeopardy; sin was condemned in Christ. – Hebrews 9:14—Our consciences are cleansed to serve the living God. • Identity shift – Romans 8:15—Adopted as sons and daughters, no longer slaves to fear. – 1 Peter 2:24—Dead to sin, alive to righteousness. Living It Out • Rest—Trust Christ’s finished work instead of striving for self-made righteousness. • Walk—Lean into the Spirit’s power; obey from a place of freedom, not compulsion (Romans 6:14). • Worship—Marvel that God accomplished, in Christ, what the Law never could, and let gratitude shape every thought, word, and deed. |
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