( Romans 3:29-31 )
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!
