The End Of The Law

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:4

Salvation has never been by the keeping of the law. Israel did not understand that. According to Paul, ‘For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.’ What is the righteousness of God to which Paul is referring? The answer is the imputed righteousness of Christ. Speaking of Christ, Paul said, ‘Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.’ This has always been the way of salvation. Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Christ speaking of His Own work in Genesis three, promised His substitutionary sacrifice. The ancients looked forward to Christ. We who live in the era after His ascension look back to Him and what He has accomplished. They had not seen Him, nor have we. They lived by faith, as do we. Under the circumstances, they followed the prescribed rites and ceremonies. However, they were never intended as a substitute for imputed righteousness. The writer of Hebrews makes the point, ‘For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.’ Therefore, we recognize the goodness of the law but we look to Christ as being the only Person Who could satisfactorily deal with the law and its’ demands. By His life, He satisfied the demands of the law in precept. By His death, He satisfied the demands of the law in penalty. Because He has successfully dealt with the law, He has become the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. We recognize the validity of the law, but we rejoice to see it in the hands of Christ. 

Our Holy and Righteous God,
we rejoice in the Person and the work of Christ.
We praise You that He has fulfilled
all the demands of the law.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning