Romans 10:1–4 (ESV) —
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
NOTE: In verse 4, the "end" is the Greek word "telos" meaning complete. When Jesus says:
Matthew 5:17 (ESV) — 17 “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.
He was not saying that the law was still in effect after his work, but rather that He (Jesus) would completely fulfill it. The law is ended for the believer because Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the law.
That is why scripture says that we are no longer under the law.
Galatians 5:18 (ESV) — 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
And the author of Hebrews writes,
Hebrews 7:18–19 (ESV) — For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
The word for "set aside" is the same word used to describe what happens to our sin, it means to be annulled. I don't know why so many religious people want to be under the law when it no longer applies. Jesus paid it all. We are free from that burden. We are new creatures, born again to a new and blessed hope.
PONDER:
- Are you born again?
- Or are you trying to save yourself by doing good works? (Note: you will not be saved by works)
PRAYER: Father, thank you again that I am saved, not on the basis of anything I have done, but on the basis of the completed work of Christ on the cross.
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