Law – Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: Law

Romans 7:21 – The “Badness” Law

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Will

I find then a law, when I desire to do what is right, that evil is present with me.

Truth to Learn

There is a “law of sin” that can control our actions.

Behind the Words

The word translated “a law” is the Greek word nomos, which means “something that has been parceled out.” In the Greek text there is a definite article before this word, so literally it says “the law.”

The word in this verse that is translated “evil” is the Greek word kakos, which means, “something that is bad or worthless.” It is not the word usually translated “evil.” That word is poneros, which means “malicious or indicating willful harm to others.” So, although it is not really a word, I guess we could translate kakos in this verse as “badness” to distinguish it from evil.

“Is present” is a translation of the Greek word parakeimai, which means “it lies near” or “it is nearby.” It is expressed here in the present tense, active voice, indicative mood which implies present continuous action, not a past event or a onetime event.

Meaning Explained

One confusing part about the current verse is Paul’s reference to “a law.” There has been considerable debate about what he means by this expression. The usual sense of “a law” is something to which we are subject, something that is imposed by a superior, something that binds, controls, or influences us. There are many things we call laws that really aren’t laws; rather they are things that we have learned by observation. We refer, for instance, to such things as the laws of physics, the law of gravity, or the scientific laws of thermodynamics. These are not really laws in the sense that some legislative or ruling body has declared them so and which has assigned officials to enforce these laws (unless, of course, you consider them as having been imposed by God Himself).

The law that Paul is talking about in today’s verse is just such a law. He is saying that he finds an unwritten law which seems to say that badness is constantly present, close at hand, ready to take over whenever he desires to do right. And, once again, we see the word “desire” which is from the Greek verb thelō, indicating not just a wish or a desire to do good, but a determination to do good.

Although we have said it before, this is an apt description of our sin nature, or our tendency to sin. Whenever we want to do the right thing, when we are determined to be obedient to God and to do His will, our sin nature is ever present and ready to lead us into doing the wrong thing instead.

In just a few verses Paul will refer to this sin nature, to this law that makes badness ever present when we’re determined to do good, as the law of sin.

If I were allowed to vote on this law, I would vote that we repeal it and make life a lot easier on all of us!

Application

Lord, help us to see this battle that is going on within us. Help us to recognize that even though we are saved through the blood of Christ and we are determined to obey You and do Your will, our sin nature keeps dragging us away from You. Lord, give us strength to resist our sin nature and give us the desire to submit ourselves completely to You. Amen!

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 7:12 – The Holy Law

Posted on February 21, 2018 by Will

So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

Truth to Learn

The Law and its commandments are holy, but we are sinful.

Behind the Words

“Law” is translated from the Greek word nomos, which we saw in the last chapter is the noun form of the verb nemō, meaning “to divide among” or “to parcel out.” Therefore nomos refers to that which has been parceled out, which someone has in his or her possession. It is also used to refer to a body of regulations that have been delivered or parceled out, such as the Law of Moses.

This word translated “holy” is hagios. Its fundamental meaning is “set apart from common use to the service of Deity” or “sharing in God's purity and abstaining from earth's defilement.” That which is separated unto God is free from any tainting of sin. It is pure and it is spotless. It is holy!

“Commandment” is from entolē, which comes from the verb entellomai, meaning “to give a charge or a command.” Therefore we see that entolē means “a charge, a precept, or commandment.”

The word translated “just” is dikaios, which means “that which is righteous” or “that which is just.”

“Good” is from the Greek word agathos, which means “good and benevolent, profitable, or useful.”

Meaning Explained

Back in verse seven Paul asked the rhetorical question, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin?” Since that verse he has been showing us why the law is not the culprit; rather it is our sin nature that is the cause of our sinfulness. The law simply causes our sin nature to be empowered. Paul now tells us very clearly that the Law is good but it was not provided to purify the heart of fallen man. Its tendency is to increase guilt, shame, and despair. In other words, man cannot obtain righteousness by obeying the law because the law, by exciting our fallen nature, actually increases our sinfulness.

The Law, says Paul, is holy. It is pure and it is spotless. Paul also says that the commandment is holy. So, what’s the difference between the law and the commandment? The easiest way to distinguish them is to recognize that the law is made up of many commandments. Paul’s point here is that not only is the law as a whole holy and good, but even down to the individual commandments it is holy and just and good.

We cannot blame the law or any one of the commandments for our sins, but the very presence of the law causes our sinfulness to be exceedingly sinful. In fact, we cannot blame anyone else for our sinfulness. We are guilty of our own sins and the Law does not remove that guilt, it increases it.

Application

Do you feel weighed down by guilt over the sins that you have committed? Do you feel guilty because you don’t keep the Law or obey God all the time, or act out of selfish motives? Remember, only the grace of God, through the blood of Jesus Christ, can take away the guilt! Confess your sins and lay them at the foot of the cross.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 6:14 – Freed by Grace

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Will

For sin shall not have lordship over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Truth to Learn

Christians do not have sin ruling over them.

Behind the Words

The phrase “shall not have lordship over” is the translation of the Greek word kurieuō, which we looked at back in verse nine. It is the verb form of kurios, meaning “master, lord, or owner.” Thus, kurieuō refers to “lordship or ownership.” However in the current verse this particular verb is in the “future active indicative” form. The “indicative” is called the mood of the verb in Greek. There are four moods in the Greek language which are indicative, subjunctive, optative, and imperative. The indicative expresses the writer’s portrayal of real action whereas the others express the writer’s portrayal of potential action to varying degrees.

“Law” is translated from the Greek word nomos, which is the noun form of the verb nemō, meaning “to divide among” or “to parcel out.” So, technically nomos refers to that which has been parceled out, which someone has in his or her possession. It is also used to express regulations that have been delivered or parceled out, such as the Law of Moses.

Meaning Explained

Paul started off this chapter telling us that we were buried with Christ by baptism and that our old man (our sin nature) was crucified with Him. As a result we should consider ourselves dead to sin so that we won’t be brought under the constant control of sin. Back in chapter four Paul made the doctrinal declaration that we are no longer under the Law, rather we are set free from the Law by the gracious gift of God when He declared us as righteous.

Since we were figuratively buried with Christ through baptism and our sin nature was crucified with Him, Paul now tells us that sin will not have ruling power over us.

So why did we spend so much time and energy on a Greek grammar lesson regarding the verb kurieuō? It’s because of what is being said in this verse regarding sin having power or control over us. Since this verb is in the indicative mood it refers to real action, not potential action. So, Paul is not saying that sin may not have ruling power over us or that sin should not have ruling power over us but that sin will not have ruling power over us.

And why will sin not have ruling power over us? Because we are no longer under the ruling power of Law; rather, we are under the grace of God. We have already been declared righteous! Knowing this, it would seem easy for us to cast aside all restraints and live as sinful as we want because we’re no longer bound by Law. But if we did, then we would be letting sin have ruling power over us. And, this brings us right back around to the beginning, doesn’t it? If we are truly saved then we have died with Christ and sin will not have ruling power over us.

Application

Since sin is no longer our master, we should be demonstrating by our attitude and actions that we have been freed from the bondage of sin! Is that what your attitude and actions are demonstrating?

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 3:27 – No Bragging Rights

Posted on October 16, 2017 by Will

Then where is the boasting? It is excluded. Through what kind of law? Of works? No, but through a law of faith.

Truth to Learn

Salvation through faith in the blood of Christ is nothing to brag about.

Behind the Words

“Boasting” is from kauchēsis, which refers to the act of bragging or boasting.

The Greek word translated “excluded” is ekkleiō, which is made up of ek, meaning “out” or “out of” and kleiō, meaning “to shut.” Therefore, this word literally means “to shut out.” In other words, something has no chance of coming in whatsoever. In sports, we refer to a team as having been “shut-out” if they have been beaten without having scored a single point.

The words “what kind of” are translated from the Greek word poios, which means “of what sort” or “what kind.”

“Law” is translated from nomos, which refers to “a law” or “a principle.” Paul is using it here, as he does in many places, in reference to a principle rather than a specific law.

The word “no” is from the Greek word ouchi, which is a stronger form of the word ou, meaning “no” or “not.” We might translate this as “No way!”

Meaning Explained

The apostle now goes on to cement in the minds of the Roman Christians that their salvation is not of themselves through acts of righteousness, but completely through the actions of God. He starts off this verse by asking where any of us can find room for boasting. There is nothing to boast about in having been granted righteousness. Since all have sinned and have failed at being able to justify themselves by obeying the Law, and since all are alike, dependent on the mercy of God, any reason for bragging is, of course, taken away. It is shut out.

That’s what Paul is telling us about boasting or bragging with regard to our salvation. There is no way we can brag about our salvation because bragging has been shut-out!

This boasting is not shut-out by the law of works, but by the law of faith. By this Paul means that we cannot be justified by performing any works no matter how unselfish or self-sacrificing they are. We cannot be justified by keeping the 10 commandments, and we cannot be justified by obeying all the rules or ordinances set-down for us by our church. We simply cannot be justified by this kind of law. In other words, there is nothing we can do to earn righteousness, nothing! It can only come through faith.

Back in verse twenty-two we learned that faith (Greek pistis) means “belief in a truth.” But what does Paul mean by “the law of faith?” This is not a written law or set of commandments, but a principle. The principle here is, “believing in a truth.” That is, the truth that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God who, while completely God, is completely man. The truth that He lived a perfect life, then offered His life as a sacrifice in payments for your sins and mine.

Application

It’s easy to boast about all the things we have done to earn something, but salvation can’t be earned. It requires humility to accept salvation and become a Christian. It can’t be bragged about. A humble person doesn’t brag about his humility.

In God's service, for His glory,

James 4:11 – Evil Judging

Posted on May 21, 2015 by Will

Do not speak against one another, brothers. The one speaking against a brother and judging his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

Truth to Learn

Being judgmental could make you guilty before God.

Behind the Words

The Greek word translated “speak against” is katalaleō, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” or “against” and laleō, which means “to speak or talk.” Hence, this word means “to talk down,” “to talk against,” or “to slander.” This word is expressed in the imperative mood and is preceded by the word mē, meaning “absolutely not.”

“One another” is translated from allēlōn, meaning “each other” or “yourselves.” This is an indication that James is talking about such slandering within the church, among brothers and sisters in Christ.

The verb translated “judging” is from the Greek word krinō, meaning “to distinguish” or “to make a determination from the information you have.” By implication here, however, it means “to try, condemn, and punish.” When we judge a brother or sister in Christ, we usually do so without all the facts.

Nomos is the Greek word translated “law.” This word is derived from Nemō, meaning “to divide among” or “to parcel out.” Hence, nomos refers “that which is parceled out.” It is the word that is used throughout the New Testament in reference to either the Law which was given (parceled out) to Moses at Mt. Sinai or to the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2), which is the law of righteousness (Romans 9:31). It appears that here James is referring to the law of righteousness.

Meaning Explained

In an earlier verse in this chapter it was pointed out that James is focusing on problems regarding interpersonal relations within the church. In the current verse it is the problem of being judgmental of a brother or sister in Christ.

The evil referred to here is that of talking against another: their actions, their motives, their manner of living, their family. This is not to say that we should never disagree. Disagreement and discussion are important to the growth and learning process. It is when we talk against the person, not the ideas, that we cross over the line, particularly if it is “behind his or her back.”

There are things about which we are supposed to judge others in the church. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 5:11 we are told to judge whether or not a brother or sister is,

… sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner …

We are told not to even eat with such people. In 1 Corinthians chapter six we are told that we should judge matters within the church rather than going to the world’s court system. But there are some things we are not to judge others about.

When we are speaking against a fellow Christian, we are becoming an interpreter of God’s law of righteousness. That is, we are making a judgment regarding righteousness. But, in so doing, we violate God’s law of righteousness. There is only One who can judge righteously and not commit unrighteousness Himself, our holy, sinless God. Keep in mind what James told us back in James 2:8:

If indeed you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;

Application

Let’s guard carefully what we say about others, particularly those within the church. Let’s focus on pleasing God and doing His will rather than on what others are or aren’t doing. Let’s be “swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” (James 1:19) This is absolutely imperative if we are to be humbled before God.

In God's service, for His glory,

James 2:8 – Love Others

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Will

If indeed you fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;

Truth to Learn

The greatest thing we can do for others is to love them like we love ourselves.

Behind the Words

“Fulfill” is the word teleō, which means “to fulfill” or “to complete.” It is a stronger word than the normal tēreō, which means “to keep” or “to observe.” This verb is in the present tense, active voice, and indicative mood. This identifies the verb as one of current, continuous action. So, he is saying, “If you are really continually fulfilling …”

The Greek word translated “royal” is, basilikos which means “regal” or “preeminent.” This means that it is the highest or preeminent law, which should guide our every action.

Nomos is the Greek word translated “law.” This word refers to the entire body of the law which the Jews were to keep. James could have used the word entolē, meaning “commandment,” for it is a commandment that he quotes. His purpose for using nomos, however, is to say that the entire set of commandments is summed-up in one, and it is the preeminent one.

The word “love” is the Greek agapaō, the self-sacrificing love which Christ demonstrated for us on the cross.

Meaning Explained

So, what is this highest, or preeminent, law that James is talking about? According to Jesus, when asked by a lawyer what the greatest law is:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

James is quoting what Jesus called the second greatest commandment. So why does he say that it is the preeminent one? The two that Jesus cited have to do with our relationship with God the Father and our relationship with other people. If we look at the Ten Commandments we see that the first four apply to our relationship with God and the other six apply to our relationship with others. Therefore, when Jesus quoted the two greatest commandments he was summing-up all ten.

James, on the other hand, is only dealing with our relationship with others, so he quotes the preeminent commandment having to do with how we treat others. He says that if we live our lives by continually loving others with a self-sacrificing love, this is good. This is James’ summary of his discussion in the previous six verses on how we treat rich people and poor people differently based on their appearance. He will complete his summary in the next verse.

Application

Though we sometimes don’t want to admit it, we all love ourselves. We take care of ourselves, we feed ourselves when we get hungry, we buy things for ourselves, and we even choose a mate for ourselves based on what we like. We spend many waking hours thinking about things that will please us. When we do this, our focus is on ourselves. James says that our focus should be on others to the same degree.

In God's service, for His glory,

Romans 10:4 – Condemned or Forgiven?

Posted on September 27, 2010 by Will

Romans 10:4 – Condemned or Forgiven?

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

Truth to Learn

Christ completely fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law. We achieve His righteousness by faith in His blood.

Behind the Words

The word translated “end” is the Greek word telos, which means, “the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state.” This word telos can also mean “the design or object of something.”

“Everyone” is the translation of the word panti, which means “all, the whole, or everyone.”

Meaning Explained

Paul has just told us that in spite of their zeal for God, the Israelites were ignorant of God’s righteousness and, as a result, tried to establish their own righteousness. The Law and the Prophets prescribed what was required for anyone to satisfy God’s righteousness. In fact, it is much more than just the Ten Commandments. Anyone who has read through the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy quickly becomes aware of all the ceremonial practices that the Jews were required to perform. Included in these was the annual sacrifice of the Pascal Lamb whose blood covered over the sins of the people.

If you compare these practices to what Jesus Christ went through, you will see that He perfectly fulfilled what the Law required of the Pascal Lamb. In fact, the practices prescribed in the Old Testament were an image, a foreshadowing, of what the real Sacrificial Lamb would do for the people. Jesus completely fulfilled the requirements of the Law. Not only did He live without sin but He offered His blood as the payment for all of our sins. Recorded in the book of Matthew we find what Christ Himself said in the Sermon on the Mount;

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)

In the current verse Paul says that Christ is the end of the law, that is, the conclusion or fulfillment. Christ said of Himself that He came to fulfill the Law. Paul now tells us that He did just that. He completed it.

As we pointed out in Behind the Words, telos also means “the design or object of something.” Christ also fulfilled this meaning of the word because He is what the Law had in view as the object when it was first given. So we see that not only was the death of Christ foreseen and foreshadowed by the Law, but His death was the full satisfaction of it in every way.

Application

Paul tells us that the righteousness of God is a reality only for those who believe in the sacrificial death of Jesus as the Lamb of God. He says that this righteousness is applied to everyone who believes God’s promises. No one who believes in Christ will be left out. However, for those who don’t believe in Christ, righteousness cannot be achieved no matter how hard they try and no matter how zealous and sincere they are. They can’t achieve it by works and they are still responsible for their own sins. They will stand before God condemned instead of forgiven!

How will you stand before God?

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 9:32 – Seeking God’s Favor?

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Will

Romans 9:32 – Seeking God’s Favor?

Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.

Truth to Learn

Works don’t produce God’s favor, only faith can do that.

Behind the Words

“Stumbled” is from the Greek word proskoptō, which means “to strike against” or to “trip over.”

Meaning Explained

The Apostle Paul now explains why the Israelites failed to achieve righteousness even though they pursued it vigorously. He says very clearly that the reason they failed to achieve righteousness is because they did not pursue it by faith. Instead, he says, they pursued it by works of the Law.

The devout Jews did many things daily in an attempt to please God. They prayed, they fasted, they sacrificed, they gave their tithes, they studied the Law and the Prophets, and they listened to the Rabbis to learn the oral laws so that they could be sure to obey all that they were commanded to do. Because they were so intent on earning God’s favor by obedience, they denied, even rejected the one in whom they could have obtained God’s favor, Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. They tripped over the stumbling stone whom they called Jesus of Nazareth, denying that He was their Messiah.

But before we get too condemning of these Israelites, let’s look at our churches and church members today. Many of us are putting our effort into praying, fasting, offering our time in service to the church, giving tithes, reading our Bibles daily, and listening to all that our priests and ministers tell us so that we can be obedient to God and to the church with all of its expectations. In short, we are trying to earn God’s favor just as the Israelites did a couple of thousand years ago, and still do today.

In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the writer recounts example after example of those who obtained God’s favor because of their faith, not because of their obedience to God or to a set of church rules. Tucked away in this chapter is the sixth verse which says:

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

The writer doesn’t say “without obedience,” he says “without faith.” Trying to be obedient causes stumbling, while living by faith produces victory! God is pleased with a life of faith, not a life of obedience.

Application

So let me ask you, why do you pray? Why do you read your Bible? Why do you give to your church? Why do you obediently attend church regularly and listen carefully to the sermon or homily each week? Are you trying to earn God’s favor like the Israelites did? Or is it because you believe God’s Word and you want to Glorify Him in all you do? Do you do it out of obligation and a hope of rewards? Or do you do it out of grateful, humble actions of faith?

Think about that and be honest with yourself!

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 9:4 – New Old Truths

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Will

Romans 9:4 – New Old Truths

who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;

Truth to Learn

We can learn a lot about our faith from the Old Testament.

Behind the Words

The word translated “adoption” is huiothesia, which is composed of huios, meaning “a son” and a form of tithēmi, meaning “to place.” Thus we see that it is a reference to the placing of a person as a child, or “adoption.”

“Covenants” is translated from diathēkēs, which refers to “the disposition which a person makes of his property in the prospect of death.” The English word “dispensation” expresses the idea fairly closely. It is a reference here to the dispensations or covenants that God made with the patriarchs and the Jews.

Meaning Explained

Paul now continues on from the previous verse. He said that he almost wished that he was accursed for the sake of his kinsmen, the Jews. He is making a comparison between the things he has been teaching about the church (chosen by God, adopted by God, given promises by God, etc.) and the Jewish people. In doing so he will demonstrate to his Jewish brethren that God’s dealings with the church are very much the same as His past dealings with the Jews (until the time they rejected the Messiah). In the current verse Paul begins to detail some of the special privileges that the Jews had. Let’s look at each of them.

“Who are Israelites” – They are the descendents of Jacob (renamed Israel by God when Jacob wrestled with God at Penuel – See Genesis 32:28.) Jacob means “trickster” and Israel means “a prince of God.”

“To whom pertain the adoption” – This is probably a reference to Deuteronomy 7:6 where God chose them (the Israelites) as a special people to Him above all people that are on the face of the earth. Is it fair that God chose the descendants of Jacob (Israel) and excluded all others? This is an example of God’s election (choosing) just like His election of Christians.

“The glory” – probably a reference to the glory of God which led the Israelites through the wilderness.

“The covenants” – The various compacts or promises which had been made from time to time with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and with the nation of Israel.

“The giving of the Law” – On Mount Sinai – see Exodus 20.

“The service of God” – A reference to the temple service which was a point of pride for Israel, indicating that only they worshiped at the true temple of the true God.

“And the promises” – Most notably the promise of the coming Messiah from the seed of David.

In showing to his brethren in the flesh that theirs was a special relationship with God, Paul will soon show them that this relationship does not guarantee righteousness. That only comes from believing the promise of the Messiah and accepting the Messiah when he comes, which they didn’t do.

Application

There is much for the church to learn from studying God’s dealings with the Old Testament saints. We serve the same God, and He deals with us much the same as He did with them. For us, as well as them, it is a relationship built on faith.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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Romans 8:3 – Righteous Through Him

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Will

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,

Truth to Learn

Jesus Christ perfectly kept the law, thus demonstrating His righteousness, and God grants us His righteousness through faith in His sacrificial death.

Behind the Words

The words “could not do” are translated from a single Greek word. It is adunatos, which is a compound word made up of the privative a, meaning “without” or “not” and dunatos, meaning “powerful, able, or capable.” Hence, adunatos means “without power” or “unable.”

“Weak” is from the verb astheneō, which is made up of the privative a, meaning “without” and sthenos, meaning “strength.” Thus, it means “without strength” or “weak.”

The Greek word homoiōma is translated here as “likeness.” This word is derived from homos, which means “one and the same.” Homoiōma means “having the same form.”

The word translated “condemned” is the Greek word katakrino, which is the verb form of a word we looked at just two verses back. It means “to proclaim a judgment of condemnation against someone or something.”

Meaning Explained

This is another potentially very confusing verse so let’s look at it one phrase at a time. “For what the Law could not do” is a reference to what Paul has said in the seventh chapter of this letter. The Law cannot produce righteousness in man. Why? “In that it was weak through the flesh” says that the reason the law could not produce righteousness is because man tried to produce righteousness through acts of the flesh. But the flesh is weak because of the sin nature and cannot satisfy the law; therefore, the law could not produce this righteousness.

But, what the Law could not do, Paul says God sent his son to do for us: “God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.” In other words, even though Christ took on human flesh, he did not take on sinful human flesh. He had the appearance of sinful flesh (that form which every member of the human race has), but He was not sinful human flesh. For emphasis, let me restate that this passage says that Christ took on human flesh, but he did not take on sinful human flesh.

God the Father sent Jesus in the form of sinful human flesh, “on account of sin;” that is, Christ came to earth and took on human flesh in order to deal with sin. He dealt with sin by living a sinless life that was then freely offered for sinful lives. Because he perfectly fulfilled the Law and committed no sin, He “condemned sin in the flesh.” In other words, in human flesh Jesus perfectly fulfilled the Law and therefore made a judgment of condemnation against sin.

Application

Paul has been teaching us that a person cannot be justified by trying to obey the law. We have a sin nature that causes us to sin, and with a single sin we lose the righteousness that perfectly keeping the law would have provided. As a result, God had to create a way for sinful man to receive His righteousness, which can only come by faith in the blood of Christ. Thank you, God, for giving me your righteousness through faith in the sacrifice of Your perfect Son.

In God’s service, for His glory,

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

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