We are now down to the wire on Romans chapter 3, as we deal with the Law of works verses the law of faith, but don't get existed there is allot more to go. For where is righteousness and how does GOD work it in? Okay, we will pick the flow back up at verse 27 and then head for chapter 4 and verse 8 before we finish here for now. For GOD has buried in Scripture a wealth of riches and knowledge untapped by most us as we read through our daily readings and recitals of scriptures.
Romans 3:27-30, 31-4:8 "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture (of Genesis 15:6)? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth (G3049) righteousness without works, saying (in Psalm 32:1-2)," Blessed (H835) are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (KJV)
Romans 3:27-30, 31-4:8 "Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture (Genesis 15:6) say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts (G3049) righteousness apart from works (Psalm 32:1-2): "Blessed (H835) are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; Blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." (ESV)
Romans 3:27-30, 31-4:8 "The law of faith cancels the Law of works; which means there is suddenly nothing left for anyone to boast in. No one is superior to another. (Bragging only makes sense if there is someone to compete with or impress. "While we compete with one another and compare ourselves with one another we are without understanding. [2Corinthians 10:12]. "Through the righteousness of GOD we have received a faith of equal standing. [Look at 2Peter 1:1 RSV] The OS (operating system) of the Law of works is self-willpower; the OS of the law of faith is love. Galatians 5:6 Love set faith in motion. The Law presented one with choices; grace awakens belief! Willpower exhausts, love ignites! If choices could save us we would all be our own Saviors! Willpower is the language of the Law, Love is the language of Grace and it ignites faith that leads to romance; falling in love beats "making a decision to believe in love" by far! Look at Romans 7:19 "Willpower has failed me; this is how embarrassing it is, the most diligent decision that I make to do good, disappoints." ) This leaves us with only one logical conclusion, humanity is justified by GOD's Faith and not by their own ability to keep the Law. Which means that GOD is not the private property of the Jews but belongs equally to all the nations. (While the Law excludes the non-Jewish nations, faith includes us all on level ground and terms.) There is only one GOD, He deals with everyone, circumcised or uncircumcised exclusively on the basis of His Faithfulness.
No, faith does not re-write the rules; instead it confirms that the original life-quality meant for humanity as documented in the Law, is again realized. If we look at our father Abraham as an example and scrutinize his life, would you say that he discovered any reason for placing confidence in the flesh through personal contribution? (What qualified Abraham to be the father of the multitudes of nations? The only part he played was his unwavering belief in GOD's Faith in him.) If he felt that his friendship with GOD was a reward for good behavior, then surely he would have reason to recommend the recipe; yet it is plain to see that it was all GOD's initiative from start to finish! Scripture is clear (Genesis 15:6): "Abraham believe what GOD believed about him and that concluded his righteousness." There is a large difference between a reward and a gift: if you have earned something through hard work, what you receive in return is your due and certainly not a gift. It is clear then that someone who believes that GOD declares the ungodly innocent understands that it is faith and not our toil that accounts for righteousness. David confirms this principle when he speaks of the blessedness of the one who discovers GOD's approval (G3049) without any reference to something specific that they had done to qualify themselves. ( in Psalm 32:1-2) "Oh what [1, H835] happy progress one makes with the weight of sin and guilt removed and one's slate wiped clean! (The Hebrew word [1; H835] ashar, blessed, means to advance, to make progress.) How blessed is the one who receives a [1] receipt instead of an invoice for their sin." ([1; G3049, from G3056 and G3004] logitzomai, to make a calculation to which there can only be one logical conclusion, to take an inventory.) (The Mirror)
In our next post we shall carry on with our look at righteousness, or more correctly our innocence.
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