LAW (1) – JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
INTRODUCTION
It has been proclaimed often by modern teaching that righteousness is attained through faith in the New Covenant. In contrast, under Law or the under the Old Covenant, people were justified obeying the law.
Again, it is declared by the same preachers that the Law was revealed on Mount Sinai, while grace, the hallmark of the New Covenant, is found on Mount Zion. Indeed, this teaching asserted that God has shifted His dwelling place from one mountain to the other. Therefore, it is urged believers to abandon the Law i.e. Sinai, and ascend to Mount Zion.
In a separate teaching, drawing from the words of Hebrews chapter 4, the same teaching explained that the ancient Israelites failed to enter God’s promised rest due to a deficiency of faith. Faith, according to this modern teaching, is embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. As He had not yet been revealed, the Israelites of old were unable to experience the fullness of God’s rest.
(2) JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (ROMANS 4)
However, a compelling passage by St. Paul in Romans 4:1-8 offers a different perspective from this modern teaching. Both the NIV and NKJV subtitle this section “Abraham Justified by Faith.” Let’s consider the text:
“1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter?
2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation.
5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.
6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.8 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord will never count against them. (NIV)”
Verily, as it is written in Romans 4:1-8, two men were declared righteous through faith, having believed in God. It is curious to note that both of these men, Abraham our father and King David hailed from the times before the Law.
Now, according to modern teaching, righteousness was attainable only through adherence to the Law given to Moses. Yet, here we find a contradiction to this notion. According to Paul, both Abraham and Kong David were justified not by deeds of the Law, but by faith
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (PSALM 32)
Let’s consider King David. How did he see himself as justified and blessed? Romans 4 verses 7-8 draw quotation from Psalm 32. Let’s read the entire psalm to understand better:
Psalm 32:1-5
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin. (NIV)
How was King David justified in Psalm 32?
The answer is straightforward:
– he confessed his sins.
– David recognized himself as blessed because God did not judge him according to the law but forgave his iniquities and transgressions because he confessed his sin, as stated in verse 5.
EXCLUSION OF BOASTING
Are we understanding this correctly?
Let’s consider Romans 3:27-28:
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith.
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. (NIV)
In a nutshell, the passage emphasizes that boasting is excluded because justification is not based on works but on faith. This means that no one can claim superiority or merit based on their efforts.
Some translations refer to verse 27 as the “Law Of Faith.” Regardless of the phrasing, these verses highlight two main points:
1) The law does not require works for justification. Believers cannot meet the law’s requirements through their actions, a principle that applies both to the old covenant and the new.
2) The law requires faith.
God’s method of justification has been consistent throughout history: from before the law was given, through the time of Mount Sinai (when the law was given), and up to the new covenant at Mount Zion. God justifies people through faith in Him. Our unchanging God remains “The Same Yesterday, Today, And Forever.” There is not one God for the old covenant and another for the new.
Confusion often arises from mixing:
1) Works of the law
2) Faith in the law
LAW OF FAITH VS. WORKS OF THE LAW
Paul contrasts the “law that requires works” with the “law that requires faith.” Here, the “law of faith” can be understood as a principle or rule that emphasizes that faith, rather than works, is the basis for justification. This principle is not new but consistent with God’s character and His dealings with humanity.
Hebrews 11 lists many figures who were justified by faith under the old covenant. Additionally, modern teachings sometimes assert that 1 John 1:9 (confession of sin) does not apply to believers, while also suggesting that believers should confess their sins because they are already forgiven. This can create conflicting messages. If all sins are already forgiven, what is there left to confess?
CONSISTENCY OF JUSTIFICATION
– The idea that God’s method of justification has always been by faith is a significant theological point. The Old Testament figures such as Abraham (Genesis 15:6) and King David were justified by faith, not by their works. This principle is reiterated in the New Testament (e.g., Romans 4).
– Indeed, whether under the old or new covenant, He justifies people by faith in Him. Confession of sins is not a work; it is an act of faith or belief in God’s promises. Abraham did not earn God’s promise through his works but by responding with faith.
When King David was confronted with his sin, he didn’t try to earn God’s forgiveness through his efforts. Instead, he confessed his wrongdoing, trusting that this was the path to redemption.
To clarify, it’s important to consider this topic within the context of Romans 3 and 4, especially if there are concerns about misinterpretation. Some might argue that these passages are addressing Self-Righteousness rather than the law itself. However, Romans 3:31 clarifies this misunderstanding: “Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law” (NIV).
Moreover, Romans 4:13 underscores that Abraham and his descendants received the promise not through the law, but through faith: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith” (NIV). Romans 4:14 further explains, “For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless” (NIV).
Romans 4:1-8 is situated between Romans 3:29 and Romans 4:13, reinforcing that the discussion concerns the law rather than self-righteousness.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, justification has always been by faith, both in the Old and New Testaments. Confusion around works, confession, and faith often arises from different Christian interpretations. Recognizing that confession and good works are expressions of faith, not mechanisms of justification, helps clarify these issues.
King David’s experience shows that forgiveness isn’t automatic. Despite being called a “MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART,” his pleas for pardon reveal the need for repentance and grace. The New Covenant internalizes the law through the Holy Spirit, calling believers to live in harmony with it as an expression of faith.
Unlike the Word of Faith movement’s prosperity gospel based on declarations, Scripture highlights God’s sovereignty and promises. Abraham’s blessing, for example, depended on God’s promise to Abraham for Isaac first, not human decree, or self-proclamation and declaration. Again, God’s promise comes first. Amenbible
READ:-
Believe – John 3:16
See Jesus: (1 Corinthians 10)
End Times:- The Book Of Life Opens
1 JOHN 1:9
ONE FIFTH MUCH MORE RESTORATION
BALAAM
ARISE, SHINE
