Romans 4:13-17

 “If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.” vss. 14-15

There is much to be said for operating under the rule of law in our world. It’s what enables businesses to flourish and governments to be trusted. Without it markets are quickly taken over by cartels and politicians rake in billions from pay-offs and blackmail. We particularly like living in a country with well-defined laws and rigid enforcement. Unless we are criminals the law gives a sense of security and safety.

Because we know the benefits of law and its effects on society, it’s easy to see how precious the law was to the Jewish people. It not only covered religious dealings and matters of worship, it could easily be stretched to include all aspects of human interactions. So when Paul came proclaiming grace and faith as the way of salvation, those who loved the law were shocked. It appeared to them that living by grace would be infinitely more difficult than living under the law. And they were right! 

But Paul wasn’t advocating the abolition of the law! He fully realized the importance of rules and ordinances in ordering society. But he also knew that all the law could do was reveal sin, it couldn’t heal sinners! Only grace and faith could bring reconciliation–and that’s still the way it is today!

Thought for the Day: Why is living by grace so difficult?