Unlimited: The Righteousness That is By the Law
Apr 12, 2023 767
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them” (Romans 10:5).
There are two ways in which you can try to obtain righteousness. The apostle Paul now proceeds to contrast these two ways: the righteousness that is by the law with the righteousness that is by faith.
First he presents the righteousness that is by the law. In doing so, he quotes the writings of Moses. However, if you go to the actual passage that Paul is quoting, you will see that it is the Lord God who speaks these words:
The Lord said to Moses, “…You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. 5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord (Leviticus 18:1,4,5).
There are two ways in which you can try to obtain righteousness: by the law or by faith.
The point is that if you wish to obtain righteousness through the law, you must keep the law perfectly, and then you will live. It is based on what you do, and you must do it perfectly. The righteousness of the law is high up, far above us, and we need to strive to come close to it. The more we strive for it, the more we discover how elusive it is.
To seek the righteousness of the law is to live in frustration and despair, and ultimately, to find death.
Spiritual Application
Have you ever sought to be righteous by keeping the law, or even just tried to find your identity in your own performance and achievements (it’s the same thing)? Did you find true peace and contentment? Where are you in your journey of finding your true life by living by faith?
As much as we are living by faith we must ensure to go by the law in truth and righteousness. However, the laws might sometimes endanger us to sway from righteousness. At any rate, to live by faith makes us connect to God Almighty which can make good of our righteousness for eternity. So our faith through a righteous attitude and action will make us sons and daughters of God Almighty.
Eliezer Gonzalez
Apr 15, 2023
The righteousness that is by the law (through our own righteous attitude and action) can only condemn us. Unfortunately, this is the opposite of the message of the Gospel.