2023 0226 The Value of the Law

Romans 5:20–21 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Chapter 5 so far

Peace with God brings No Shame in Hope

Romans 5:5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Boast in Jesus

Romans 5:11 we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Gift of Grace

Romans 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass.

Many will be Made Righteous

Romans 5:19 through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:20–21 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Law vs Grace

Romans 5:20 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

Source of the Law

the law came from God himself

the law is full of grace

Deuteronomy 6:25 And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”

careful to obey all the law

the righteousness for the Israelites is bound to obedience of the Law

yet the carnal nature of man cannot move in grace

the carnal nature means that the law cannot be fulfilled perfectly

righteousness cannot be maintained

Leon Morris says that the law could not prevent sin (Adam) yet it was too weak to do so (man’s nature)

the law could only condemn

The Condemnation of Jesus

Matthew 23:23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

man goes legalism well

we stress the legal requirements of the law

yet those cannot be satisfied

the law demands justice, mercy and faithfulness

yet these get neglected

Matthew 23:28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

man does those things to present a picture of righteousness

yet the heart is full of hypocrisy and wickedness

there is no hope when man tries to keep the law

we fail abjectly

all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

there is hope

Grace Increases

Romans 5:20 NIV

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

the law was righteous, the law was divine

yet the law only highlighted man’s inability to be righteous

the law actually increase the trespass

the law increase sin

the fullness of God’s grace could now be demonstrated

grace is so much more effective than evil

Role of Jesus

Matthew 5:17-18 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Jesus fulfilling the law

perfect grace enables the law perfectly

the words of Jesus are a powerful reminder that grace rules

the Law is divinely God

it will not change , it will not get amended

the Law will be accomplished but only through perfect grace

Romans 5:21 NIV

so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

sin reigned in death

life could only be gained through grace

grace has to bigger than sin

grace is expressed in righteousness - note Matt 23: 38

grace applied correctly brings eternal life

life found in Jesus Christ alone

there is no other way, no other truth, no other life

only Jesus the righteous brings life

Jesus is Lord has to be our confession