What does "not justified by the works of the law" mean for believers today? Setting the Scene “15 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners 16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we too have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.” Understanding Justification • Justification is God’s legal declaration that a sinner is righteous on the basis of Christ’s finished work. • It is not a process of becoming righteous; it is a once-for-all verdict. • The courtroom image: God the Judge slams the gavel and says, “Not guilty—fully righteous in My sight.” Works of the Law Defined • Specifically refers to the Mosaic Law—circumcision, dietary codes, sacrifices, feasts. • Broadly includes any human effort to earn favor with God. • Romans 3:20: “Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law, for the law merely brings awareness of sin.” Why Works Cannot Justify 1. The Law exposes sin; it was never designed to remove it (Galatians 3:24). 2. Perfect obedience is required—one failure breaks the whole law (James 2:10). 3. Christ alone met that perfect standard (Matthew 5:17). 4. Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness we had done, but according to His mercy.” Faith in Christ: The Only Ground • Faith is trusting, resting, leaning wholly on Jesus’ death and resurrection. • Romans 3:28: “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” • Ephesians 2:8–9: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.” Freedom and Assurance for Today • No spiritual performance anxiety—Christ’s merit stands in place of yours. • Joy replaces fear; security replaces uncertainty (Romans 5:1). • When you sin, you run to Christ, not to a checklist of rituals, for cleansing (1 John 1:9). Living Out the Truth • Good works now flow from gratitude, not for earning status (Ephesians 2:10). • Obedience becomes worship, not wage-earning. • The Spirit empowers holy living, writing God’s law on our hearts (Galatians 5:16; Jeremiah 31:33). Verses to Meditate On |
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