Franklin Camp
Grace, faith, and law are three terms which must be understood to comprehend God’s scheme of redemption. Misconceptions of these words have produced much confusion about how men are saved from sin. Two major errors (the doctrines of “faith only” and “grace excludes all law”) grow out of a misinterpretation of these words.
The Context of Romans
The verses of our study must be seen in the context of the book. Romans is Paul’s defense of “his gospel.” In it, he shows that the gospel is in harmony with the promise to Abraham (Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 4:13). To prove the gospel did not conflict with the promise to Abraham, Paul had to show that the law was a system of faith that culminated in the gospel Paul preached. Romans 3:21 makes this point.
The law and the prophets pointed by faith to the promised seed, Christ, and the gospel. The book is introduced with this thought: “for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17). God’s plan for saving men had to be in harmony with His character. “To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26). Sin alienates man from God. God cannot condone sin. The means of saving man had to be such that man could be restored to a state of righteousness which is compatible with God’s nature! Unless this is kept in mind, Romans will be misunderstood.
“From faith to faith” means from the Old Testament faith into the faith of the gospel. The faith of the Old Testament reached its goal in the gospel, when Jesus stated on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Paul’s quotation from Habakkuk 2:4 is proof that the law pointed to Christ. Why quote the verse if not to show that the law was a system of faith? It not only pointed to the faith of the gospel, it required faith at the time it was made. It was necessary for Paul to show why the law without Christ could not save. In Romans 3:22 he establishes this truth: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ.” Three things are involved in this statement. First, the character of God is involved. It would be inconsistent with His nature to save man and encourage sin. His law had to be honored. Second, since God is perfect, the plan had to be one that maintained His righteousness and placed man in a righteous state. He could not save man and let him remain in sin. Third, it had to be a plan which placed the merit in Christ, yet required the obedience of man.
With the law honored and God’s character sustained by Christ’s perfect life, the way was opened for man with his imperfection to become righteous. Thus it is open to all that believe. The perfection of Christ and His death on the cross was the means by which God demonstrated His righteousness in passing over the sins under the law, and showing His forbearance and justice. His perfect faith and obedience saved the faithful under the law. The cross provided the grace needed for those under the law. The remnant living when Paul wrote Romans found righteousness by faith (Rom. 9:32). National Israel followed looked to the law for righteousness, not looking for Christ as savior, and did not attain it (Rom. 9:31). Why? They did not seek it by faith (Rom. 9:32). National, fleshly Israel failed (refused) to see their sinfulness as shown in the law. Therefore, they did not see the need for grace and a savior. This distinction is vital in understanding the book of Romans and this paragraph in chapter 3.
Grace, faith, and law are terms that need to be understood. Grace refers to God’s graciousness, the divine influence of God through Christ and the gospel which touches man’s heart and is reflected in a life of gratitude and loving obedience. Faith is a conviction, full of joyful trust, that Jesus is the Messiah—the divinely appointed author of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God, conjoined with obedience. Law, is the divine standard that is a reflection of the moral character and perfection of God and sets forth man’s responsibility to Him. The crucial problem in redemption is, “How can sinful men have fellowship with a perfect God?” The answer is found in Romans 3:21-25.
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets” (Rom. 3:21). Note the word, “now.” Christ, the promised seed and savior, had come when Paul wrote this. National Israel had rejected Him and refused to accept the gospel. They were seeking to be righteous by the Law of Moses separated from Christ. The law pointed to Christ. Leviticus was the heart of the law. The sacrifices, high priest, mercy seat and the day of atonement were all shadows or types of pointing to Christ. The repeated sacrifices and remembrance of sin each year made it clear that man needed grace, but this was incomplete without Christ (Heb. 10:1-14). The witness of the law was reinforced by the prophets in such passages as Isa. 7:14 and 53:1-12. The word “now” of verse 21 reaffirms what I said earlier about “from faith to faith.” “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Rom. 3:22). Keep in mind the definition of law. It is the divine standard reflecting the moral character of God and His perfection. God cannot ignore law without condoning sin.
Man’s imperfection comes short of the glory of God. How is it possible to reconcile God’s perfection and man’s imperfection? The problem is solved in Romans 3:22. it is the faith of Christ and faith in Christ. God’s character demanded that the law be perfectly obeyed. Christ did this. This is the significance of the faith of Christ. His perfect faith enabled Him to live a perfect life and honor the Law of Moses. This made it possible for God to maintain His righteousness and restore man to a state of righteousness in Christ by grace through faith. Works of law without faith in Christ makes faith void (Rom. 4:12). Faith and grace go together (Rom. 4:16). Faith combines law and grace. “Wherefore is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Rom. 3:27). Here are two laws. The law of works is law separated from Christ. The law of faith is law which trusts and obeys Christ.
Faith reconciles grace and law. Law apart from grace demands perfection. Faith trusts in the perfect work of Christ and expresses trust in obedience. This puts merit in Christ and not in the act. Works of faith ‘working together with his works” made His faith perfect (Jas. 2:22). Law isolated from Christ and His cross demandd perfection. The law of faith is another way of expressing the obedience of faith (Rom. 1:5; 16:26). Faith, is trust expressed in obedience. Faith trusts the work of Christ, not the action or command. Every work separated from His work becomes a meritorious work. That is what made the works of the law meritorious. That is what made the works of the law meritorious. If the commands of the gospel are not obeyed as an expression of trust in the work of Christ, they are meritorious works.
Repentance, is faith trusting the goodness of God (Rom. 2:4). Confession, is faith trusting the deity of Christ. Baptism, is faith trusting the blood of Christ to wash away sins (Rom. 6:3-4). Prayer, is faith trusting God to hear our petitions, and expressing our gratitude to Him for His blessings. Giving, is faith trusting God to provide our needs and expressing our gratitude for His grace (2 Cor. 8:1-5). Now we have grace, faith, and law as set forth in the Scriptures. I hope this study helps us better understand these concepts, and the relationships that exist between them.
