Thought for January 28th. “BY THE LAW OF FAITH”
Much of Paulâs reasoning as he writes to the Romans is quite profound: it needs careful thought for us to get our minds around some of the points he is making. In chapter 3 he is setting out the parallel principles (and how they converge) for the Jews who observe the law in the right spirit â and are ârightâ in the eyes of God and what he says of   âthe law of faithâ [v.27] that applies to all believers.
It seems strange to apply the word âLawâ to the operation of faith. Some modern versions (eg NIV) drop the word âlawâ but it is in the Gk. Text. We note v. 20-22 where Paul states, âby the works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it â the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ âŚâ  For this reason our reading of all of Godâs word is necessary.
The more we are conscious of the precepts of Godâs laws the more we become aware of our failure to keep them in one way or another. It therefore became clear that something more than keeping the letter of the Law was necessary. Paul is appealing to Jewish ways of thinking â this leads him to use the phrase âthe law of faith.â He writes of the âdivine forbearanceâ as God âpassed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.â [v.25,26]
Etched in Paulâs mind, must have been the words of Stephen as he stood alongside those stoning him, âLord, do not hold this sin against themâ [Acts 7 v.60] Jesus made the same appeal as they led him to the cross â see Luke 23 v.34 Does this mean that God now overlooks all our sins if we have faith in Jesus? Paul asks the Romans. âare we to continue in sin that grace may abound?â And the answer â âBy no means!â [ch.6 v.1,2]
The failure of the Jews, zealous for the Law in the time of Jesus, was highlighted by their self-righteousness â and a spirit of boasting. Paul now warns any who may have this attitude â â⌠what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By the law of works? No, but by the law of faith â [v.27]
What does the word âlawâ mean to you? We read âby works of the lawâ no one is âjustified in his sightâ  We sense that âjustifiedâ means âseen to be righteous â in Godâs eyes.
Faith is not a âLawâ in the ordinary sense. In Ch. 4 Paul gives the example of Abraham and how âhis faith is counted as righteousnessâ [v.3]. May we live by âthe law of faithâ, a faith which âinspiresâ us and excludes boasting, and becomes a âlawâ governing all our thinking â and therefore our actions.