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Paul asked a question at the end of chapter three in the book of Romans which said, “Do we then nullify the law by this faith?” He gives a quick response with, “Not at all! Rather we up hold the law.” So it raised another question in me. Why?
Of course Paul is talking about the faith we have in Jesus Christ and if you back up just a little bit in the same chapter Paul will tell you that there is righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. That righteousness is ours if we believe. Anyone who has taken the time to ponder this thought has realized how incredible it really is. Because, as Paul points out, even though we are all undeserving sinners we are freely justified by His grace through this one incredible man who is Jesus. It is because of Gods power and Gods sacrifice that we have this righteousness. We did nothing to deserve it. Humans have tried to keep Gods Holy law for many years and have failed miserably and then came this new covenant which makes it possible to be righteous even though we failed, and continue to fail. So, do we then nullify the law by this faith? Do we put aside the law since we are now righteous through Jesus Christ? The answer is of course no, we uphold the law still and even if Paul hadn’t said it we should still get that one right. Am I the only one that isn’t satisfied with that? I still have to ask, “Why do we uphold the law if we have faith in Christ?”
Well, in that question I ask God gave me a pretty great answer, an answer that has shown me where my relationship with Him is grounded. The answer lies in your faith in Christ. You uphold the law because of your faith in Christ. You see, true faith in Christ requires that you understand a few things.
One is that God sacrificed his son. God turned His son over to death. It may be hard for a "none parent" to grasp this at first but for those who have kids imagine turning your son over to death. Imagine freely giving your son away to be beaten, ridiculed, killed and worst of all, forsaken. Ask yourself this question, “Would I be able to put my son through that?” It’s a hard notion, isn’t it?
Another thing a person of faith needs to understand is that this gift is a free gift. Nobody earns it, nobody deserves it. As Paul pointed out in the midst of the same verses, we all have sinned, we all have fallen short. We are made the very righteousness of God by His grace and that’s has to be the greatest gift anyone has ever known.
The main thing that you need to know about faith in Jesus Christ is that it is love, the greatest love. Love that makes you trust, love that warms your heart, love that persuades you to give your heart. This is where I found my answer. Why do I uphold the law even though Jesus has fulfilled it for me already? Because I recognize the love God has exercised toward me and because of that I trust Him, I am persuaded to give my heart to Him. Although, I don’t look to law the to obey it, I see what’s written in the law and realize that it is God’s good advice, it is His guidance in living a good life and because of the great love He bestowed upon me I trust Him. I obey because He loves me and I love Him for it. This is a relationship. It can be compared to relationships we have. You show your kids unconditional love so they trust you and obey you. You give your spouse your heart so they give you theirs back.
This is where my relationship with God is grounded, His love for me through His son. Most Christians would agree that God wants a relationship with you. I’ve heard it said that Christianity isn’t about religion, but relationship. Relationship with God isn’t about the do’s and don’ts, right and wrong, or any legalistic doctrine. Simply love Him back for the love He gives you.
Of course Paul is talking about the faith we have in Jesus Christ and if you back up just a little bit in the same chapter Paul will tell you that there is righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. That righteousness is ours if we believe. Anyone who has taken the time to ponder this thought has realized how incredible it really is. Because, as Paul points out, even though we are all undeserving sinners we are freely justified by His grace through this one incredible man who is Jesus. It is because of Gods power and Gods sacrifice that we have this righteousness. We did nothing to deserve it. Humans have tried to keep Gods Holy law for many years and have failed miserably and then came this new covenant which makes it possible to be righteous even though we failed, and continue to fail. So, do we then nullify the law by this faith? Do we put aside the law since we are now righteous through Jesus Christ? The answer is of course no, we uphold the law still and even if Paul hadn’t said it we should still get that one right. Am I the only one that isn’t satisfied with that? I still have to ask, “Why do we uphold the law if we have faith in Christ?”
Well, in that question I ask God gave me a pretty great answer, an answer that has shown me where my relationship with Him is grounded. The answer lies in your faith in Christ. You uphold the law because of your faith in Christ. You see, true faith in Christ requires that you understand a few things.
One is that God sacrificed his son. God turned His son over to death. It may be hard for a "none parent" to grasp this at first but for those who have kids imagine turning your son over to death. Imagine freely giving your son away to be beaten, ridiculed, killed and worst of all, forsaken. Ask yourself this question, “Would I be able to put my son through that?” It’s a hard notion, isn’t it?
Another thing a person of faith needs to understand is that this gift is a free gift. Nobody earns it, nobody deserves it. As Paul pointed out in the midst of the same verses, we all have sinned, we all have fallen short. We are made the very righteousness of God by His grace and that’s has to be the greatest gift anyone has ever known.
The main thing that you need to know about faith in Jesus Christ is that it is love, the greatest love. Love that makes you trust, love that warms your heart, love that persuades you to give your heart. This is where I found my answer. Why do I uphold the law even though Jesus has fulfilled it for me already? Because I recognize the love God has exercised toward me and because of that I trust Him, I am persuaded to give my heart to Him. Although, I don’t look to law the to obey it, I see what’s written in the law and realize that it is God’s good advice, it is His guidance in living a good life and because of the great love He bestowed upon me I trust Him. I obey because He loves me and I love Him for it. This is a relationship. It can be compared to relationships we have. You show your kids unconditional love so they trust you and obey you. You give your spouse your heart so they give you theirs back.
This is where my relationship with God is grounded, His love for me through His son. Most Christians would agree that God wants a relationship with you. I’ve heard it said that Christianity isn’t about religion, but relationship. Relationship with God isn’t about the do’s and don’ts, right and wrong, or any legalistic doctrine. Simply love Him back for the love He gives you.