Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”Now that no man is justified by the law before God is evident, for, “The righteous will live by faith.”But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.Now that no man is justified by the law before God, is evident: for, The righteous shall live by faith;
3 sermons cite this verse
… what's going to save you, he goes, then you're going to be under a curse. In fact, he says in the next verse, he says, clearly no one is justified before God by the law because the righteous will live by faith. He's saying no one, no human being, think about this. For those of you in this room that are thinking, no, I'm going to do this, do this, do this. What the Bible says is no one in history has pulled it off. No one in history has pulled off being this good person to where I obey the law all of the time, obey all the laws of God, and you're going to be the first. That's what you're saying. It's a biblically I know the Bible says that God looks down and no one's been able to pull it off, but I'm really good. He says no one's been able to do it. No one's been able to obey this law. and so those who rely on it and still try, he says, you're gonna be under the same curse that everyone else fell under, of this pride, this arrogance of I can do it, I don't need God, I can pull it off, I don't need his grace, I don't need to believe in him, I'm just gonna do it on my own. …
… So if it's not this but that, you can't say it's that with a little bit of this. Galatians 3.11, it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for the righteous shall live by faith. Philippians 3.9, not having a righteousness of my own that comes through the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ Jesus. does. Famously, Martin Luther emphasized that Romans 3.28 means we are justified by faith alone. And it's true that that precious gospel doctrine was obscured, but I don't want you to think that it was the invention of the Reformers. Several church fathers and medieval theologians understood verse 28 in this way. For example, one of the commentaries that I'm using through this series is from John Chrysostom, the most famous preacher from the fourth century, so the 300s. Here's what he says. What is the law of faith? This is Chrysostom, Fourth century, commenting on verse 28. It is being saved by grace. Here he shows God's power in that he has not only saved, but has even justified, and led them to boasting, and this too, without needed works, but looking for faith only. …
… by the crucifixion was cursed by God. Now if you'll turn with me to Galatians chapter 3, we're going to be in Galatians 3 verses 10 through 14. Galatians 3, verses 10 through 14. hear the word of the Lord For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law and do them. Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for the righteous shall live by faith. But the law is not of faith. rather the one who does them shall live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us for it is written cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles so that we might receive the promised spirit through faith. Let's pray. …