THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

Gal 3:11-12 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.

Without any doubt, from the verses preceding the lesson text, we have learned that justification between God, and all men and women of the earth, must result only from obedient faith in God, through His Son, Jesus Christ. Like Abraham, that faith must, not only be strong enough to motivate us to learn the wisdom of God will, but it must also be strong enough to inspire us to believe and obey His holy will. That being true, Paul now tells us, in the lesson text, that all people that remain under the Mosaic Law, or alter the New Covenant between God and mankind to include its precepts, are found in a state of condemnation by God. (N)o man is justified by the law in the sight of God

The Old Testament Law of Moses was written and given to them who are under the law, that is, to the children of Israel - the Jewish nation; it applied and was binding to them only. This, the apostle Paul assures us, in his letter to the Christians at Rome, that by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight (See Rom. 3:19-20). Just as Paul wrote in the lesson text, this same instruction was given to Jewish Christians by the writer of the Hebrew letter who wrote, Now the just shall live by faith (Heb. 10:38a). Prior to their captivity by the Babylonians, Habakkuk used the same language when he wrote about the fate the Israelites. It included this prophecy: the just shall live by his faith (Hab. 2:4b).

Both the inspired writers of the New Testament, as well as prophets of old, told us that righteousness, in the eyes of God, can not be found by the works of the Law of Moses. This law of God, given specifically to the nation of Israel, centered around a system of laws that must be obeyed in order to find favor in the sight of God. And the law is not of faith, that is, it was not a religious system founded on faith. This was made evident when, speaking through His servant Moses, God told the Jewish nation, Ye shall do My judgments, and keep Mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord (Lev. 18:4-5).

Eternal salvation cannot be gained through meritorious deeds alone. Children of God cannot earn eternal life, by their works. Neither can faith alone save mankind. James tells us that, like Abraham, faith without works is dead. It was the obedient works of Abraham that perfected his faith in God. Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God (See James 2:20-24). From this we know that the hope of eternal salvation is available to mankind, only when faith in God, is accompanied by the obedient works He requires. Both are necessary, and even then, we must depend upon God's grace through His Son, Jesus Christ for eternal salvation to be realized (See John 1:17, 1 Pet. 1:13-14, Rom. 11:6).

Paul continues by saying, And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them. I suppose that if a person had perfectly obeyed every law God required of them for their entire life, God would consider them to have attained the righteousness the He desires of His people. However, this perfection was not possible with the children of Israel, and it is not possible with Christians today. Without faith, righteousness requires perfection - perfect obedience - a sinless life. It was true in times past, and remains true today, that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

Why is this true? Paul continued, in his letter to the Christians of Rome, by saying, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). Other that the righteous Son of God, the most obedient Jew that ever lived was still considered to be a sinner in the sight of God. Although Jewish law was not founded on faith, and could not cleanse one of their sins, still it is evident, from many different scriptural accounts, that some Jewish Christians, still clung to many aspects of the Law of Moses. Not only did they do so themselves, but they also taught, and even in some instances, demanded that all Christians abide by them as well.

It can be stated no clearer than Paul does in the lesson text ...that no man is justified by the law (of Moses) in the sight of God, ...for the just shall live by faith (in God through Christ). This fact ...is evident!