Unlimited: The Powerlessness of the Law
Jun 10, 2022 1151
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law (Romans 3:20(a)).
In this statement, Paul is declaring the powerlessness of the law to declare us righteous. This was a devastating statement for mainstream Judaism of the first century, which taught that God declared righteous those who kept the law – and to all those who have done so since.
There is no doubt that God wants us to obey him and live according to his will. However, it is when we try to make it the basis for our salvation that we go wrong. When we use the law for the wrong purpose, and try to be accepted by God through our own performance, we will feel the true powerlessness of the law.
The law is completely powerless as a means of righteousness.
There are many seemingly plausible ways in which people try to establish the law as the basis of salvation. You can say obedience is a condition of your salvation, and you can say that you are saved through both justification and sanctification. You can even say that works play an important role in your salvation because once you accept Christ your works will be the work of the Holy Spirit and not your own.
There are many ways. But all who try to base their righteousness on the works of the law will fail to be justified before God, because the law is completely powerless as a means of righteousness.
Spiritual Application
We all grow and develop in our understanding of how we are saved. How have you changed in your understanding of salvation? What has your journey been? Share it in your church community or spiritual small group.
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