April 18, 2004

THE FAITH OF GOD

Acts 26:23

 

   "But now," says Paul, "the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested (in the gospel), being witnessed by the law and the prophets, that is to say, the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:22-23). The justification here experienced is "unto all, and upon all," yet not without faith on the part of the one receiving.

   Moses' Law was not like this for it had special privileges for the circumcision. Many are the items required by the law to accord with its righteousness which exclude Gentiles and emphasize Israel 's peculiar place. Such laws make it impossible for the righteousness of the law to be transferred or to be of benefit to anyone outside Israel .

   God's righteousness by faith of Jesus Christ has no such distinction, for it is UNTO ALL, whether Jew or Gentile, and it is UPON ALL that believe, whether Jew or Gentile. Just as the Lord is our righteousness even so to Israel He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our righteousness! (See 1 Corinthians 1:30, and Jeremiah 23:6.)

   "The righteousness of God" and "the glory of God" are expressions with "sin" in between. Just as "the righteousness of God" is apart from law, so also is "the glory of God" apart from the law. It is not that all have sinned and come short of the law or its glory. Sin not only fails of righteousness and is less that lawlessness. It is like the prodigal son, "against heaven," and even as David confessed, "against Thee, Thee only have I sinned" (Psalm 51:4).

   It might be asked, "Was not the law glorious, and given by God with every manifestation of glory?" Indeed so, but not without qualification! "For even that which was made glorious, had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more is that which remains glorious" (2 Cor. 3:10-11). The law and its glory did not reach to the height of the glory of God revealed in the gospel nor was it transformed or carried over in any shape or form! It was "done away," and "abolished" (2 Cor. 3:7, 11).

 

Ivan L. Burgener