What does "end of the law" mean for righteousness through faith in Christ? Romans 10:4—The Key Verse “For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.” Defining “End” (Telos) of the Law • “End” carries the idea of goal, completion, fulfillment—not annihilation. • The Law’s righteous demands reach their climax in Christ’s perfect obedience and sacrificial death. • Once the goal is reached, believers no longer pursue righteousness by the Law; they receive it through faith in Jesus. Law’s Purpose and Limitations • Romans 3:20: “Through the law we become conscious of sin.” • Galatians 3:24: “The law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” • The Law exposes sin, defines holiness, and points to humanity’s need for a Savior. • It cannot impart life or righteousness (Galatians 3:21). Christ’s Fulfillment of the Law • Matthew 5:17: “I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.” • Hebrews 4:15: He lived without sin, satisfying every command perfectly. • His atoning death meets the Law’s demand for justice (Isaiah 53:5–6). • His resurrection confirms that the Law’s penalty has been paid in full (Romans 4:25). Righteousness Through Faith vs. Works • Philippians 3:9: “Not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.” • Ephesians 2:8–9: Salvation is “not from works, so that no one can boast.” • Faith unites the believer to Christ; God credits Christ’s righteousness to the believer’s account (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Works now flow from gratitude, not from an attempt to earn favor. Freedom From Condemnation, Not From Holiness • Romans 8:1–4: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… 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.” • The Spirit empowers obedience that the flesh could never achieve (Galatians 5:16). • Moral commandments reflect God’s character and are written on believers’ hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). Practical Implications for the Believer • Rest from striving—trust the finished work of Christ. • Pursue holiness, not to gain righteousness, but because you already possess it in Him. • Worship and gratitude replace fear of condemnation. • Share the gospel: righteousness is offered “to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4). Passages That Echo the Same Truth • Romans 6:14 — Grace, not Law, now reigns over the believer. • Colossians 2:13–14 — The record of debt “has been nailed to the cross.” • Hebrews 10:10 — “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Takeaway Summary Christ brings the Law’s story line to its appointed goal. In Him the demands are satisfied, the penalty is paid, and the righteousness God requires is credited to everyone who believes. The Law is no longer a ladder to climb but a signpost pointing to the Savior who has already climbed in our place. |
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