DEAD TO THE LAW

"Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God." (Romans 7:1-4).

Devotion 15 of 17

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

We cannot conclude this series without a word concerning justification by faith. This is the condition described by the phrase "dead to the Law." Although this has been a battleground for religious thinkers and non-thinkers, you must see clearly that you are justified by faith.

At this point, Paul and James appear to speak in contradiction of one another. Although this is only an appearance, and not the real case, we need to draw your attention to the seeming conflict. This is necessary because men are often bludgeoned with James and not given the balm of Paul.

Paul and James on Justification

On the subject of justification, James says, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? . . . Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only . . . Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?" (James 2:21,24,25). In his comments about righteousness, James quotes from Genesis 15:6. "You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend'" (James 2:22-23).

Paul speaks quite differently on the matter of Abraham's justification. "If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--but not before God. What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness"(Rom 4:2-5). With remarkable clarity, Paul affirms that God imputes righteousness (justification) "without works." "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works" (Rom 4:6). This is the explanation of Abraham's justification by faith that is mentioned in the preceding verses.

James writes that we are "justified BY works, and not by faith alone" (James 2:24). If Paul and James are speaking about justification from the same vantage point, they are clearly in contradiction of one another. One says "without works," the other says "by works."

Different Perspectives

Of course, Paul and James are not at variance with one another. They are viewing justification from differing perspectives. Paul is declaring the BASIS for justification, while James is dealing with the EVIDENCE of justification. Note carefully that James does not say Abraham's justification was made perfect by his works, but that his faith was made perfect, or brought to maturity (James 2:22). He was writing to a backslidden people, who were becoming friends of the world instead of remaining friends to God (James 4:4). Thus, he approaches justification from the standpoint of evidence, and not cause. More on this tomorrow.

PRAYER POINT: Father, because I am painfully aware of the deficiency of my own works, I thank You through Jesus for justification by faith.

-- Tomorrow: JUSTIFIED THROUGH FAITH --