Once again God is prompting me to reduce to writing that which He is revealing to me through study of His scripture. This time it is to find truth surrounding the error being taught that “the law is our foundation for our faith”. Now I didn’t go out looking for scripture to argue that statement. I was simply studying scripture and after getting through several of them that are referenced in this study, God began to reveal to me the truth regarding the subject. Then He said “write down and share what I’m telling you”. Okay. Sure. No problem.
Since our calling is to present the revelation He has given us concerning the Ridiculous, Radical, Inexhaustible Grace of God, certain statements made by others immediately trigger the error alarm in our spirit. One such statement I heard was this statement “the law is our foundation for our faith”. It has been quite awhile since I heard that statement, but it came back loudly while studying the verses below. So let us see what scripture says about that statement and whether there is any real biblical support for it in the dispensation of Grace. In this first scripture, Paul is talking to the Gentiles in Ephesus.
Ephesians 2:19,20 in the NLT.
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
So when? NOW. Right now. It is a present constant condition. When I say it again, it means right now. Now we are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. Another indicator of the truth that we are holy, we don’t need to try and get holy. Rather than disagree with me on that point right here, go to my blog page and look up the teaching entitled “Holiness” and you will find every truth needed to dispel your argument against the truth that we ARE HOLY.
Not only are we citizens and holy, but we are members of God’s family. How are we getting along with our family members? Now there’s a question that might just lead into another teaching.
20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
So right here in this verse, it appears the foundation is the apostles and the prophets, not the law. Basically, we could stop right here and say we’ve destroyed the false teaching that the foundation is the law, but I’m never one to conclude truth based on one scripture. Scripture says that every matter is settled by the evidence of two or three witnesses. So lets continue and get some more “witnesses”.
Not only was the foundation built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, but it was fortified and stable because of the cornerstone, Christ Jesus. If you know anything about structure, the cornerstone is a very necessary and stabilizing force.
Revelation 21:14 says “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb”. Again we see that the twelve apostles were apostles of the Lamb – Jesus.
Just because people say something doesn’t make it so. That’s why I always provide the truth found in scripture for what I believe and say. That way if you want to argue, you can argue with God, because I didn’t come up with it, He did. Many people will make statements from a religious and legalistic viewpoint. These statements do not bring peace and joy, but instead fear and angst to perform. The reason is because religious systems prey on people’s insecurity. Religion and legalism create environments of rule-keeping and performance in order to please God. This puts pressure on others to make sure they are doing everything they can to be accepted by those creating the rules.
Let me say that as long as it is important to you that other people understand you and approve of what you are doing, you will be owned by anyone willing to lie to you or about you. Excessive need for support from others concerning your walk with the Lord is proof of the bankruptcy of your beliefs concerning the absolute freedom found in Christ. As you learn to live with Him, you get to cooperate with what He is doing and you quit trying to do what others say you must.
Let me say right here that others will find it threatening when you learn how to live free, because religious systems must devour what they cannot control. Also, they will try to control what they cannot contain. Hence, this false statement about where our foundation of faith is found.
Romans 3:19-31 is a powerful set of truths that fortify what has just been stated in the previous paragraphs. Here it is in the NLT.
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
If you study the bible and really look at this verse, how can you ever think your good works or performance can make you right with God. It clearly states right there than NO ONE CAN EVER be made right with God BY DOING. Doing what? What the law commands. Come on. This is simple logic. The truth in the bible is not hard. It’s religion and legalism that makes it difficult.
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
Just in case you missed the simplicity of what was said in verse 20, Paul through the Holy Spirit writes this verse. Verse 20 gives us no hope that we can be made right by the keeping the law, but right here in verse 21, great expectation and finality ought to be realized.
Remember whenever you see a “but”, everything before that is done away with. So here’s another one of those big “buts” in the bible. Look closely. It doesn’t just say but. It says “but now”. Defer to my earlier statement about now being a present constant condition.
God has shown us a way to be made right. MADE right, not strive to get right. Not DO to be right. His way does not include keeping the requirements of the law. Yee Hah! You ought to be shouting right here.
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. (think I see a period there) And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
You see, with God it’s not enough to show you truth that makes you free, He shows you exactly how that happens. Here, in this scenario it is “by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. Like I said in parenthesis, I think I see a period there. It’s not Jesus and something else. It’s Just Jesus. Then there’s the conjunction “And”. God says it’s not just for you who are getting this truth, but for everyone who believes, NO MATTER WHO WE ARE. Clear enough?
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Aaahhh. Another one of religions favorite scriptures. They read this scripture (notice I said read and not study) and say “See, we all sin and fall short”. I’m wondering why they are paying so much attention to their “falling shorts”? First off, that’s not what that scripture says. Religion has made it present tense when it never can be, because the little word they ignored is the word “has”. In the King James it says “all have sinned”. It’s past tense. It’s over. It no longer exists. It’s not for you the believer.
Still not convinced? Still think you are a sinner with falling shorts? Well, just look at the next verse and let the truth of scripture stick you at the dead end road of truth with no where to go in your wrong believing.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
YET GOD. Regardless of anything, God declares that we are righteous. Now if the God who spoke light into darkness by saying, let there be light. And spoke the world into existence by simply saying world be (in so many words). Then if that God declares you are righteous, what’s your argument?
So again, He doesn’t just declare it, He tells you how He makes this declaration without argument. Through Christ Jesus. Yes, but when? Keep studying. “When He freed us from the penalty for our sins”. Do you remember the scripture that declares while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us? Wow, this is good stuff. I’m getting set free all over again.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
God just keeps pouring on the truth that debunks the lie about the law and performance. The lie that says you have to be good enough for God to love you. The lie that says it takes a lot of doing on your part for God to accept you. That’s a lie! Not because I say so, but because God’s Word says so over and over again.
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
God was looking ahead to us. He demonstrated His righteousness and declared (there He goes again….declaring stuff) sinners TO BE RIGHT. How? When they believe. That’s another period. No exceptions and no conditions other than believe in Jesus. It's all about Jesus and the finished work of the cross. Believing and receiving. Not conforming and performing. Now there's more in part 2. Keep studying because it's the knowledge of the Truth that makes you free. Grace and Peace.
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