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After Paul made an amazing declaration of faith alone being access to the righteousness of God, he wraps ups the third chapter by asking...does faith nullify the Law? His answer, God Forbid! Not the answer we would expect in light of what he has just said. Does the Apostle contract himself in this passage? My answer...Absolutely not!

If faith doesn't nullify the Law, then how does faith uphold the Law? In light of this quandary, we must ask ourselves what the purpose of the Law was? Unless we understand this, these verses seem to contract themselves. Paul says many things throughout his letters in reference to the Law. But in Galatians 3, he addresses this particular question specifically. Verse 24 says it all, "the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." ( Galatians 3:24 ). The King James Bible calls the Law our schoolmaster, which trains and leads us towards Christ, so that we can be justified by faith.

If we understand the purpose of the Law, then this verse does not give cause to question Paul's intent. When we understand that the Law showed us that we were never capable of fulfilling the righteous requirements, then we fall upon the mercy of God to save us. This act of faith, produced by the Law, fulfils its purpose. When we accomplish the purpose of the Law through faith, then we naturally uphold it, never to nullify it.

Paul's point... both the Jews and Gentiles access God through that very same faith. The Jews, through the faith of their father Abraham. The Gentiles, through their new acquired faith. In both instances, the same trusting faith is a firmly relying in Jesus Christ alone. By doing this, this confirms, establishes and uploads the Law's original intent. Today, I praise God for instituting this brilliant plan for us from the very beginning!

I am sure at this point in Paul's letter to the Romans, the Jews were feeling pretty beaten up. Paul spent the last few verses revealing to them that they had misunderstood God covenant with them. They were operating under the assumption that because they were the natural descendants of Abraham, they were heirs to the promise.

However, Paul reveals to us at the end of Romans 2 and also in Galatians 3, that the promise was not many descendants but One descendant. "The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one person, who is Christ. " ( Galatians 3:16 ) So we can conclude that no one has ever become a heir of God's promise by natural birth as the Jews assumed. Before Christ, Old Testament saints were justified by faith in God's promised Messiah. After Jesus, we are justified through Faith in Christ. Heirs of the promise are those who are of the spiritual seed of Abraham, and are justified by faith. ( Romans 4:16 )

So the natural question arises...what advantage is there in being a Jew? Paul just proved to them that they were guilty before God, just like the Gentiles. Then revealed to them that being born into this nationality did not make them heirs of the promises. It was only through faith in the Jesus Christ, which gave them circumcision of the heart through the Spirit, not of the flesh. Everything that the Jews held onto as being a people separated apart for God had been utterly shattered with Paul's letter, so one needs the answer for, the benefit, profit and gain in being a Jew.

Fortunate for us, Paul gives us the answer in verse 2. Being a Jew profits "Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God." ( Romans 3:2 ). God had trusted them with His spoken and written word. Not only did he give them intuitive knowledge of himself like the rest of creation, He gave them the oracles of God. They were literally given the intension and utterances of our Heavenly Father. This profited them much in every way!

God places a huge importance on His Word. Psalm 138:2 says, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." (KVJ) on the other hand, Philippians 2 says "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. " ( Philippians 2:10-11 ) The Bible says that at the name of Jesus, everything will come into submission to Him, and then that God magnifies his Word above His name. Therefore, since the Jews were entrusted with the Words of God, they retained a favorable position with God right from the very beginning.

Today, we also are blessed through the Jewish race because we also the Word of God. We have access to these words that bring life and health to our bodies and nourishment to our bones ( Proverbs 3:8 ) So today we can rejoice in God's graciousness with mankind because of Christ. And rejoice that He provided us with everything pertaining to life and godliness through His Word.

Even today as Christians, it is easy to replace the true intent of scripture for something man made. We readily assign rituals and regulations to follow in the name of Christ in order to ignore the objective of our heart behind it. It is easy to look at the natural realm of religion and therefore separate ourselves from relationship with God. To avoid this, we have to keep our heart in check.

Today's passage of scripture is powerful. Paul is saying that the condition of the heart is what makes someone a Jew, or part of God's chosen people... "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical." ( Romans 2:28 ) Paul is saying that circumcision is an outward sign of an inward reality. It is the condition of ones heart that makes them a child of God.

Circumcision dates back to Abraham, but Abraham received the mark of circumcision as a token or as evidence of the righteousness he had through faith before he was circumcised. That righteousness did not come by observing the Law because it was given before the Law was put into effect. His righteousness came from Faith, and his circumcision was a symbol of that faith. ( Romans 4:11-13 ) Therefore circumcision has always been a sign of the condition of the heart, but the Jews forsook the intent and focused all of their attention on the physical aspect of it.

Therefore Paul is clarifying that being a Jew is not because you were born into that nationality or religion. Being of God's chosen people comes through circumcision of the heart, which is spiritual rather than natural. This spiritual transformation comes about by being united with Christ and born again. It is by the Spirit that this happens not by the written code. Galatians 3:29 says, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." This leaves no doubt that the church is now God's chosen people on earth. Both Jews and Gentiles who have put their Faith in Jesus are part of the kingdom of God, our 'circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit'.

Today, by believing in Jesus and putting your faith alone in Him, you have the circumcision of Christ. "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ..." ( Colossians 2:11 ) This is the true mark of a child of God. Amen and So Be it!

It is true that having the Law brings about superior knowledge, but it also brings about more accountability before God. Because what could be omitted by ignorance, cannot be by awareness. The Jews were relying on the Law, banking on the fact that they were good enough.

However, good enough does not cut it. James says in James 2:10, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." Paul by comparison is stressing the fact, that the laws the Jews are claiming to have kept, are the same laws, they have broken. Stealing, adultery, Idol worship and coveting.

Paul speaks to the intent of the heart. It is not breaking a law only if you act upon it, the law is broken with the engagement of our mind. Jesus said in Matthew, "For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." ( Matthew 12:34 ) Sin lives in intent and objective not only actions. Therefore as Paul explained the nuances of the Law in Romans 2, it lays to rest that the Jews could ever fulfill it by their actions.

The Jews had a form of godliness but they were sinners just like the Gentiles. Their presented piousness which was hypocritical to what they claimed to be. Because of it, it caused the Gentiles to blaspheme God. Their representation of God gave Him a black eye.

Today, we see the same thing. We see people relying on what they can do for God instead of relying on His saving grace. They become so legalistic and self righteous, that outsiders want no part of God. It is a sad state when we take something so perfect, so holy and so simple as God's unmerited favor and kindness and turn it back into the letter, propelling others under the burden of it.

Today, may you rest in God's provision of Grace. May you throw off everything that holds you in chains and simply worship Him because He deserves it! Know that you relationship with Him rest solely on what He's done for you, not the other way around! If you do this, instead of repelling others away from Christ, you will lead them to Him!

Although Paul is specifically speaking to the Jews, many people are like this. They rely on their association to the church denomination to save them. If you ask them, they will gladly tell you their alliance, all the while, ignoring the fact that they are a Christian first.

They know all the doctrines and rules, somehow thinking that this brings them into fellowship with God. However Jesus said in Matthew, "you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition."( Matthew 15:6 ) and then goes onto say, "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." ( Matthew 15:9 ) Meaning that creating the hoopla and traditions around 'Christ' misses the whole purpose of Christ. We can go to church and get caught up in the experience, but unless we are able to discern tradition from truth, we really are not benefiting ourselves, making it easy to exchange the relationship for the encounter.

The Jews battled the same thing. Because they were God's chosen people and had the Law, they pacified themselves with that knowledge. The Jews looked at the Law as what saved them, instead of realizing that through the Law they were in need of a Savior. The Law wove a wonderful picture of Christ from beginning to end. They thought they could obtain righteousness by observing the Law instead of arriving at the necessary conclusion of the Law.

Because of it, the Jews became so legalistic that the Pharisees and Sadducees burdened the people with traditions and customs because of their zeal for the Law. But God said in Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." It was always His plan to have genuine relationship with us, but they exchanged the later for the letter.

Sadly, many Christians are in the same boat today. They look at the church, with each doctrine dictating what they think, missing the point of it all. The point is to know Jesus and to know our relationship with God is based solely upon Christ. I love the old bumper sticker that you see around town, 'No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace.

This passage is talking about God's final judgment at the end of the world. If you look at this passage it looks like God will judge you based on your actions and reward according to your works. However, Paul builds the case for Jesus throughout the entire book of Romans. And how we need to be saved by grace and faith in Him along. If we understand that, then verses appear to contract the theme of the book of Romans. However, we know that scripture does not oppose it's self, therefore we view these verses in light of what Paul is saying overall.

This passage, in context of the entire expose to the Romans, Paul maintains that we are saved by grace ( Romans 3:23-24 ), that no one will be declared righteous by observing the law ( Romans 3:19-20 ) and finally, that we will only be justified through faith in what Jesus did for us. ( Romans 3:24-28 ). Therefore, the only action that will be rewarded with eternal life is the action of faith not of works.

We have a choice in this life. The choice we have in this life is the choice of faith in Jesus. Faith is what saves us, not individual good works. We must put our faith in Jesus and that alone is the only thing that God will judge in determining eternal life verses wrath and anger.

What Paul is describing is that faith is an action. James says, that true faith has actions. "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do." ( James 2:17-18 ). Paul is attesting to this, He is saying that for those whose faith is so real, it causes them to continue to do well... 'seeking glory, honor and immortality'... the result is eternal life. On the other hand, for those who reject the truth, the truth of what Jesus did for them, and follow in the ways of the world, then there will be destruction. It all boils down to a choice and the corresponding actions associated with believing that choice.

Today, it is my prayer that as you make this choice to trust Jesus with your life, you will continue on into the fullness of Christ. By knowing Him, the choices you make in life will spur you onto good deeds out flowing from His goodness and love. Paul says, the result is eternal life with our Lord and Savior! Amen!

There is power in the Gospel. The gospel allows God to move on this earth. When a person accept the gospel as the only way to God, then a miracle occurs. Colossians 1: 13 says, "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves" Or the King James put it this way, " Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son"

At salvation perhaps the greatest miracle of all takes place. We have been taken out from under the control or power of darkness and immediately put into the kingdom of Heaven, with Christ, our Savior sitting at God's right hand and His Holy Spirit dwelling within as our deposit. Now that is power. No longer bound to the king of this world, but 100% seal, sanctified and set apart for His good pleasure.

Paul knew this power. Paul was not ashamed of this power. Paul experienced this same power that raise Christ from the dead everywhere he went. All he had to do was preach the gospel and the power of God was present to save every person who believe it. There was no distinction... God's Salvation extends first to the Jew and then to the Gentiles which includes everyone else.

Today, if you want to experience this power, the same power that Paul knew and was bold to share, then Romans 10:8-11 says, "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

It is as simple as that, Romans says, to confess with your mouth that Jesus is the only way, and believe in your heart that God raised him (Jesus) from the dead and you will be saved and never put to shame. It is my prayer that today if you have never made that confession of Faith in the Lord Jesus, that you will do and experience the power of God is a real and first hand way. May God bless you richly today!