would not have been needed, than, - "This do, and thou shalt live." But by the
fall, man lost the only principle
9
from which true and acceptable obedience can spring, viz., pure love to God.
After the fall man was left with "the work of the law" written on his heart to show
him what God required; and with the promise of the Savior, somewhat obscurely
expressed, through whom he could hope for pardon. Salvation by faith in Jesus,
was more clearly revealed to Abraham. After four hundred and thirty years, the
written law was given to Israel, as the basis of a covenant, which should last "till
the seed should come to whom the promise was made." Gal.iii,19; Heb.x,9,10.
Thus the Providence of God, man has had a fair trial of his ability to live by a
covenant of works, [see Gal.iii,12,21,] and of himself, to render acceptable
obedience to God's holy law. It need not be added, that he has fallen under its
fearful curse. "For it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all
things which are written in the book of the law to do them." Gal.iii,10. Christ was
"made under the law," and he, only, of all the sons of Adam, kept its requirements
perfectly, then died to atone for our transgressions, and to redeem us from its
curse. Our hope of salvation then is through faith in Jesus Christ, whom God
hath set forth to be a propitiation for our sins. Thus God is just and yet the
justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. That we can be justified by Christ, and yet
live in violation of God's law, no one can maintain; but to teach that our present
obedience can justify, or atone for our past offences, would be an equal
absurdity. - Hence we conclude that our justification in the sight of God, is solely
on account of faith, and not on account of works. By faith in the atonement of the
Savior our hearts are cleansed from sin, and we receive the "renewing of the
Holy Ghost." Then with that perfect love to God, restored to us, which Adam lost
at his fall, we are prepared to render acceptable obedience to God, and thus to
fulfill "the righteousness of the law." Rom.viii,3,4,7.
"The law reveals and makes us know
What duties to our God we owe;
But 'tis the Gospel must reveal
Where lies our strength to do his will."
10
Verse 31. "Do we then make void the law through faith? GOD FORBID: YEA
WE ESTABLISH THE LAW."
Rom.vii. This chapter opens with the assertion that the law claims obedience
through life. This fact is illustrated by the marriage covenant. As that cannot
cease but with the death of one of the parties, no more could the first covenant
with the people of God. Now as this covenant did end at Christ's death, yet could
cease only with the death of one of the parties, the question arises, which of the
parties died? The fourth verse answers, not the law, but ourselves. As Christ died
to atone for our sins, we are, in the sense of this portion of the Scripture,
represented as dying with him. [See Rom.vi,6.] Then mark, THE LAW STILL
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
LIVES. The dissolution of the first covenant, does not abolish the law of God, as
we shall hereafter show. The sixth verse may be adduced as proof that the law is
also dead. But the marginal reading shows that this text refers not to the law but