The Pilgrim Path---Romans 3: 31

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”

LAW and FAITH

Saint John Chrysostom (344—407) on the Law and Faith:

Here Paul shows that the faith of the Gospel, so far harming the law, actually supports it, even as the law prepared the way for faith. Just as the law itself bore witness to the Gospel beforehand (“being witnessed by the law and the Prophets,” Romans 3: 21), so now faith establishes the law, after the law had been stripped of its strength. How did faith establish the law? Paul would say, “What was the purpose of the law? What was the point of all its legislation? Why, it was to make humanity righteous.” And yet the law had no power to do this! “For all,” Scripture says, “have sinned” (Romans 3: 23). But faith, when it came, achieved this righteousness. The moment a man has faith, he is immediately justified! Faith, then, established the law’s intention. What all the law’s legislation aimed at, faith has brought to fulfillment. Thus, faith has not cancelled the law, but perfected it. So, Paul has proved three points. First, he has shown that it is possible to be justified apart from the law. Second, he has shown that the law itself could not accomplish justification. And third, he has shown that faith is not contrary to the law…
After receiving this grace by which we are justified, we must also live a life in keeping with it. Let us then show a seriousness worthy of the gift! We shall show it indeed, if we seriously cherish love, the mother of good works. Love isn’t empty words, or a mere sweetness in speaking to people; love is actually taking care of people, exerting itself by loving actions, such as relieving destitution, giving help to the sick, saving people from dangers, standing alongside those who are in trouble, weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice.

Wow---the “Golden—Mouthed” Preacher (Chrysostom) is really preaching!

The Law is a “mirror” to reveal our sin. The Law is a “curb” against the ills of society. The Law is a guide in sanctification for the Follower of Jesus Christ.

Quite a few people say, “I belong to Jesus Christ---I’m not all about this Law stuff! I’m all about LOVE!” Well how do you know IF you are “practicing” LOVE---But for the LAW of GOD? If I really love my neighbor:

----I will not covet all that belongs to him

----I will not slander his name

----I will not be a vigilante

----I will not steal my neighbor’s belongings

----I will not commit adultery with his spouse

----I will not devote myself to some “FAKE” god that will allow me to treat him-- as sub-human

----I will see to it that the LORD’S day includes deeds of sympathy & service for those in need

----I will not assault people---verbally or physically
----I will never put a political party--- above the True and Living God in my life

----I will not let conspiracy theorists dictate my walk with Jesus Christ or His Church

----I will ask the Holy Spirit’s help daily---to empower me to
love my neighbor as myself

----I will ask the Lord to convict me daily of those areas in my Life where I do not demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit toward people (all people)

----I will ask the Lord to help me better represent the truth of the Gospel to my enemies

The Direction of The Sovereign Savior Jesus Christ: “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away goods do not demand back. And as you wish others would do to you, do so to them.
If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” LUKE 6: 27—36

HYMN:

We come to you, dear Jesus, in your brothers
In prison, needy, hungry, sick, and cold;
Compassion, LORD, sees you in all these others,
In touching them our Savior’s hand we hold.

Edmund P. Clowney, 1985

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our LORD, Pastor Jason