by Pastor Rich Carlson

In the final verses of Romans 3, Paul tackles the age-old dilemma of law and grace, obedience and faith, justification and sanctification. Please notice that my focus is on combining, not contrasting, two words. It’s as close as I have come in understanding this topic. It’s not law or grace—it’s law and grace. Here are some of the phrases that help me grow in my understanding of God’s part and my part:
• "For it is not those who hear the law…but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous" by God (Rom. 2:13. NIV).
• "God’s name is blasphemed" among unbelievers when I say one thing and do the opposite (2:24).
• "The requirements of the law are written on their hearts" (2:15).
• "Through the law we become conscious of sin" (3:20).

My conclusion is that "keeping the law" is not so much doing what is right for salvation’s sake, but not doing what is wrong for the unbeliever’s sake. (This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive study of disobedience, just a short statement that will help me live for God.)

Following Romans 3:20, the illustration seems to change. In Romans 3:21 we read:
• "But now, a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known…"
• Righteousness is "through faith in Jesus Christ" (3:22).
• It is "to all who believe" (3:22).
• "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (2:23).
• And all "are justified freely by his grace" (3:24).
• "Through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (3:24).
• We are "justified by faith apart from observing the law" (3:28).

And from these I conclude, at this point, that maybe obedience is just to help others on their journey to the kingdom, or to discover that the journey is worth taking, and faith in God is what brings me through the journey to the kingdom. Does faith "nullify" the law? "Not at all," says Paul, it actually upholds the law (3:31). I kinda’ like that.

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. “God Is Faithful” is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.