June 2nd, 2010-Romans Chapter 3

The topic of faith once again comes up in chapter 3. The chapter starts off where chapter 2 left off, speaking about salvation being a matter of the heart and not about anything external. This theme is continued in the later verses, saying that the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law through faith in Jesus Christ. The law, however, still bears witness to it. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory and we are justified in grace as a free gift through Jesus Christ. We receive this gift in faith. What is the purpose of the law? We know that the purpose of the law isn't to justify, but rather condemn. We can't see our sin unless we have the law to condemn us and once it does, we understand the concept of grace and forgiveness. The law doesn't save us, it shows us our sin.

The end of chapter 3 starts with the statement that one is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. This doesn't mean that there will no works at all, however. It's saying that we aren't justified simply by obeying the law. There has to be a faith in Jesus Christ. The works of faith are implied in that. We saw earlier in the book that faith demands action. Those who truly have faith in Jesus will obey him and follow him. Those are not necessarily the works of the law but the works of faith in Jesus. It also says that God will justify both the Jew and the Gentile by faith. Finally, it addresses the law. Do we throw out the law entirely by our faith? No, but rather, we uphold the law with our faith. Once again, our faith will bring about our works of faith and hence our obedience of the law.