No Flesh is Justified by the Law

(Galatians 3:10-13) "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." Many people in our churches have a problem understanding the difference between law and grace. There are some that teach that a person is saved by fulfilling the law of God. That isn't accurate. No man is justified by living under the law. The Bible declares that the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life. No man is justified apart from the Spirit of God. Then there's preachers that preach that a person can be saved but they can live a licentious lifestyle. In other words, they can live in sin. There's some that teach if a preacher preaches separation and holiness after a person's saved, then that preacher is promoting legalism. Legalism is adding works, rituals, baptism, etc. to salvation. Legalism says that grace through faith in Jesus Christ isn't sufficient in and of itself. There must be something added to it. However, the price Jesus paid on Calvary's cross is sufficient in and of itself. Nothing will save man's soul but the blood of Jesus. There's nothing a person can perform in their flesh that will save them or make them more saved than what they already are. If you're saved by repentance and faith in what Jesus did for you on Calvary's cross, then you're as saved as you ever will be. Nothing extra can be added to make your salvation more secure. Anyone that preaches that you must add works, rituals, etc. to save you or make your salvation more secure is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Preaching legalism is also damnable heresy. However, preaching the whole counsels of the Bible to a believer isn't legalism. Preaching separation and standards aren't legalism as long as it's not added to the finished work of Christ. There are standards that a Christian must abide by if they're going to be any kind of testimony before this lost world. However, those standards don't save a person. Separation doesn't save a person nor does it make their salvation more secure. Salvation is of God--not man. There's nothing within our being that we can perform that will complete our salvation. Only the debt that Jesus paid on Calvary is sufficient for mankind. We must accept it in repentance and faith toward Christ.

Does that mean the law is evil or irrevelant? No. The law is pure and holy. The law is from God. God gave the law to Moses on Mount Sinai in Exodus 20 and the following chapters in Exodus. He gave it for Moses and the children of Israel. Paul said in Romans 7:12, and verse 14 that the law is spiritual, holy, just and good. The law is good in and of itself. The problem is that when man comes in contact with the law, he is already condemned. Why? Because man's a sinner that's separated from God. Man is born in sin. He has the presence of sin in his members. When man comes face to face with the law, the law reveals that he's dead in sin and trespasses. The law says to sinful man he's unjust and unclean. Romans 4:15 states that where no law is there's no transgression. In years past I've heard televangelists tell their audiences over television that Jesus loves and desires to save them. However, what benefit is it to the sinner to tell them that Jesus loves them and desires to save them if they're aren't aware of their spiritual condition? Don't misunderstand, they do need to know about the love of God. However, they also need to know they're dead in sins and trespasses and Jesus came on this earth to die for them and to save them. When a sinner begins to realize they're dead in sins and trespasses, then the Holy Spirit can convict them of their sins. Every sinner must be made aware that it's their sins that placed Jesus on the cross. Sinners must be made aware that they've transgressed the law of God and that they can't be saved apart from God.

We have many "preachers" across America that don't want to deal with sin in their pulpits. Many sinners today aren't made aware how horrible sin is. "Preachers" want to preach God is love but if the sinner isn't made aware that God hates sin, then how will the sinner obtain a true grasp that they need to be saved? Galatians 3:24 tells us that the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Vs. 25 states that when we're justified by faith, we're no longer under the schoolmaster. That doesn't mean the law is null and void. However, when a sinner is justified by faith, the Holy Spirit takes abode in their heart and they are guided by the Spirit. The Bible says the Spirit will lead and guide us into all truth. The letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life. Those that are outside of the grace of God that think of the precepts of the Bible as nothing but rules and regulations. That's because there's no Spirit of God leading and guiding them. There's no life in rules and regulations. However, when Jesus saves a sinner, he writes the laws of God on their heart and they will have a desire to walk in the Spirit to serve the Lord. II Corinthians 5:17 says that any man that be in Christ is a new creature. Old things are passed away and all things become new. That doesn't mean the saint is perfect. However, they have a desire in their innermost being to be transformed into the image of Christ. Romans chapter 8 mentions that those that are in Christ will be led by and walk in the Spirit. They're not in bondage to their old sinful nature. They have a desire to please God. Romans 8:14 says that for as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. God will change the life and course of a person that's been redeemed.

Romans 6:1-2 says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" From reading those verses, God's not giving any saint an excuse to live in sin. We do sin, but we are to confess and forsake our sins when we do commit a sin. God chastises those that are his. Even though that we aren't under the dispensation or the curse of the law doesn't mean that it's okay to sin. The first two verses of Romans 6 bears that out. Christians are to live holy before God. They are to walk circumspectly before the world. How can the church fulfill the Great Commission in Mark 16:15 if Christians are very worldly in their appearance and their actions? They can't. However, a person that's saved has the Holy Spirit in their heart who will lead and guide them into all truth. A Christian isn't bound by a set of rules and regulations because the Spirit dwells within their heart. However, that doesn't give a Christian the excuse to sin or to ignore the commandments of God. I John 5:3 states Christians are to love God and keep his commandments. It says His commandments aren't grievious. The only aspects of the law that were abolished were the ceremonial laws in the Old Testament. The moral laws of God we are to still follow. God's law is holy. However, God's law is a magnifying glass in our lives. The law reveals what we are. The law reveals unto the sinner that he's dead in trespasses and sins.

Here's the wonderful part: GRACE! Grace comes along and says look to Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. If you will repent of your sins and trust in Him, you will be saved. Then once a sinner is saved, he is JUSTIFIED! In other words, a sinner's sins are cast away as far as the east is from the west. The blood of Christ that was appropriated to the sinner has washed away the sin and has made him whole. His sins are washed away. The blood of Jesus washes away sin and He no longer remembers that sin. When a person is justified, it's as if they had never sinned. That's how powerful the blood of Jesus is. That's something the blood of bulls and goats couldn't accomplish during the Old Testament sacrifices. All the blood of bulls and goats did was cover sin. However, Jesus' blood washes away sin and casts it as far as east is from the west. That sinner is now justified and is no longer guilty before God. It's as if he never sinned. What a Savior! That's how powerful the blood of Jesus is. That's enough to make a person shout. If a Christian can just grasp a hold of that you can imagine what kind of difference it will make in their life. Rules and regulations don't save you. The law of Christ doesn't save you. It condemns you. However, if you look to Jesus, He'll save you and justify you. The Spirit of God will enter into your heart and instead of being dominated by the flesh, the Spirit of God will lead and guide you into all truth. No flesh is justified by the law. The Bible says the just shall live by faith. You're only justified through faith in Christ--nothing else!