Topical Bible: The Law of God: Established by Faith

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The concept of the Law of God being established by faith is a profound theological theme that runs throughout the Scriptures, particularly in the New Testament. This theme addresses the relationship between the Mosaic Law, given to Israel, and the faith in Jesus Christ that justifies and sanctifies believers.

The Mosaic Law

The Law of God, as given to Moses, is a comprehensive set of commandments and ordinances that were intended to guide the Israelites in their covenant relationship with God. It includes moral, ceremonial, and civil laws. The moral law, epitomized by the Ten Commandments, reflects God's holy and righteous character. The ceremonial and civil laws were specific to the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel.

The Purpose of the Law

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, elucidates the purpose of the Law. In Romans 3:20 , he writes, "Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin." The Law serves as a mirror, revealing humanity's sinful nature and the need for a Savior. It was never intended as a means of salvation but as a tutor to lead us to Christ (Galatians 3:24).

Faith and Justification

The doctrine of justification by faith is central to the New Testament. Paul asserts in Romans 3:28 , "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law." This justification is a legal declaration by God, where the believer is declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf.

The Role of Faith in Establishing the Law

While faith in Christ justifies apart from the works of the Law, it does not nullify the Law. Instead, faith establishes the Law. Romans 3:31 states, "Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the law." Through faith, believers uphold the moral law, not as a means of earning salvation, but as a response to the grace received through Christ. The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in accordance with God's righteous standards, fulfilling the righteous requirement of the Law (Romans 8:4).

The New Covenant and the Law

Under the New Covenant, the Law is written on the hearts of believers (Jeremiah 31:33). This internalization of the Law is made possible through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 10:16 echoes this promise: "This is the covenant I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord. I will put My laws in their hearts and inscribe them on their minds."

The Law of Christ

The New Testament also speaks of the "law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2), which is characterized by love and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus summarized the Law in the Great Commandments: to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40). This love fulfills the Law, as Paul writes in Romans 13:10 , "Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Conclusion

The Law of God, established by faith, is a testament to the harmony between God's justice and mercy. Through faith in Christ, believers are not only justified but also empowered to live in a way that honors God's holy standards, reflecting His character to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yes, we establish the law.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Law Established through Faith
... his love; and yet, all this time, if the law we preached were not established in
our hearts, we should be of no more account before God than "sounding ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 36 the law established.htm

The Law Established through Faith
... First Series Sermon 35 The Law Established through Faith. Discourse I "Do we then
make void the law through faith? God forbid: Yea, we establish the law.". ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 35 the law established.htm

Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902.
... XIII. Of the Law of God."We believe that the law of God, revealed in ... and move clearly
disclosed in the words of Christ, is forever established in truth ...
/.../brief statement of the reformed.htm

The Righteousness of Faith
... righteousness, "the righteousness which is of the law," is to ... it is that method of
reconciliation with God which hath been chosen and established by God ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 6 the righteousness of.htm

Sanctified by Faith
... specified blessings without a strict conformity to divine law. The word of God plainly
sets forth the laws ... It is a divinely established fact that God cannot lie ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter vi sanctified by faith.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... of the sanctuary in heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included
in the law which is there enshrined; what God had established, no man ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

God's Law Immutable
... of the sanctuary in heaven, and the fourth commandment was shown to be included
in the law which is there enshrined; what God had established, no man ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 25 gods law immutable.htm

The Author Returns to his Former Argument, and Shows that There ...
... God, and lower the credit of the law, did both ... made with hands, but the living God,
who established the heaven ... kindred, he followed the Word of God, walking as ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter v the author returns to.htm

Of Justification by Faith. Both the Name and the Reality Defined.
... be decided that we are pleasing to God, as being ... whenever rest and tranquillity with
spiritual joy are not established. ... if the inheritance be of the law, it is ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 11 of justification by.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... may give strength and fulfil in you the righteousness of the law. God never sent
a condition to you, but that you may believe, and be established.4. Let ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm