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Faith without Works
 Theme: Establishing the law through faith.
 Romans 3:31

Introduction:

A.      There are always people that listen at the message from extreme point-of-views.

1.      Preach on baptism and some think the messenger is against faith in Christ.

2.      Preach on faith in Christ and others think the messenger doesn’t believe in baptism.

3.      Preach on law keeping and some think the messenger minimizes God’s grace.

4.      Preach on grace and others think the messenger minimizes the need for law keeping.

B.     People in the New Testament era were no different than we are today.

1.      The apostle Paul knew the reaction he would get for teaching how man is justified by faith – not law keeping.

2.      Knowing this he asked a rhetorical question: “Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.” Rom. 3:31

      If we are saved by faith, how do “we establish the law”?

Discussion:

I.         The Purpose of “The Law”

A.      The Law of Moses required payment for sin (ceremonial or moral).

1.      The same law that demands obedience also requires the shedding of blood for forgiveness of those sins. Heb. 9:22

2.      But the blood offerings through the Law were never meant to “perfectly” take away sins.

B.     The purpose of the Law, therefore, served as a shadow of the gospel. Heb. 10:1-4

1.      The gospel revealed Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to take away the sins that the Law could not.

2.      Further, the Law served as a tutor to bring man to faith in Jesus Christ. Gal. 3:24

3.      Thus the gospel of salvation by faith (in Jesus as the Christ) upholds the law by fulfilling its utmost demands. Rom. 3:31

II.       Law of the Spirit

A.      Through faith in Christ – we live by another “Law”.

1.       We live by the Law of the Spirit. Rom. 8:2

2.       The requirement of the law means we “walk in the Spirit.” Rom. 8:4

3.       By “walking in the Spirit” our course of life upholds (“establishes”) the righteousness of the Law of Christ. Cp. Tit. 2:11-15

B.     By establishing the law we have a living – spirit filled – faith. Rom. 8:5-8

1.       We are not justified by the “works of the law”.

2.       We are justified, however, by a living faith that works the works of God. cp. Jas. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:10

Conclusion:

A.      While we do not take the extreme position of being justified by the works of the law, neither do we take the position of “sinning, that grace may abound.”

B.      Instead, we establish the law – as God intended through the gospel – by walking in the Law of the Spirit, that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us.

 

Glory to God in the church by Christ Jesus
Franklin Church of Christ