Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes. I. THE END OF ALL LAW IS RIGHTEOUSNESS — the production of the most perfect results. 1. In the natural world the use of the law is to perpetuate results essential to its well-being, e.g., the circulation of the atmosphere, ebb and flow of tide, alteration of seasons, motions and influence of planets, etc. 2. The great aim of law in the moral world is to regulate conduct so as to produce a righteous character. The aim of the law of Moses was to lead to a higher life (Romans 7:10). (1) The ethical element in the Mosaic law discovered to man the havoc made by sin (Romans 7:7, 11, 13). (2) The ceremonial element shadowed forth the remedy. The sacrifices and festivals were intended to show the necessity for the expiation of sin, by the atonement of Christ. II. IN CHRIST WE HAVE THE GRAND END OF BOTH THE ETHICAL AND CEREMONIAL LAW — righteousness and holiness. Law depends for its authority upon the personal character of the lawgiver. The character of Christ was like His law — holy, just, and good. 1. From Christ proceeds the moral law by which sin is discovered to us. His character is a constant reproof to us. His words bring home the consciousness of violated law. 2. In Christ is the only remedy for sin. The arrangements of the ceremonial law terminated in Him — the shadow retired when the substance appeared. In His life and death He fulfilled the duties and endured the penalties of the law, thus vindicating the righteousness of God and providing a complete righteousness for sinful man. III. FAITH IN CHRIST IS ACCEPTED AS A PERFECT OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW. Law is powerless punitively when the end for which it exists is attained. We disarm the law by obeying it. All our unaided efforts to obey law — while in a state of lawless unnature — are futile. It is like running alongside a parallel pathway into which we are vainly trying to turn ourselves. Faith, and faith only, is the means of junction. This puts us into the position in which law would place us. The end of all law being the production of the most perfect results, this very end is answered when we believe in Jesus. For Christ, and all He has, becomes our own. "He is made unto us, of God, wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption." "The law and the gospel are evidenced in man's moral nature. The law the ideal of its life, the gospel the life of its ideal." LESSONS: 1. It is hopeless to attempt to attain righteousness by law, because of our moral inability to obey all its requirements. 2. Faith in Christ is the only and universal way of obedience. (J. S. Exell, M.A.) Parallel Verses KJV: For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.WEB: For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. |
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