Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Romans 3:31.

“Do we then nullify the Law through faith?  May it never be!  On the contrary, we establish the Law.”  Romans 3:31.

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In what sense do “we establish the Law”? 

What does “establish” mean? 

The best definition and meaning to this use of “establish” in today’s Scripture seems to be “to make firm or stable” or “to put on a firm basis”.

Now, what “establish” does not mean is “to make able to do everything”.

The same Paul who wrote the Book of Romans wrote the Book of Galatians about the established role of the Law.  In summary, the Law was never intended to deliver righteousness and life to us.  Rather, the Law was intended to confront us with our sin, our “Total Depravity”, and our absolute need for a Savior.  “Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.”  Galatians 3:24.

Here is what the context of Galatians 3:19-25 states:  “Why the Law then?  It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.  Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.  Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God?  May it never be!  For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.  But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.  Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.  For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:19-25.

Here is what The Heidelberg Catechism states about this established role of the Law. 

Question 115.  Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?

Answer.  First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more to know our sinful nature, and thus become the more earnest in seeking the remission of sin, and righteousness in Christ;  likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us, in a life to come.

In summary, according to the above-stated Heidelberg Catechism, the established role of the Law is to teach us to seek the righteousness of Christ.

Let us think of an analogy.  Someone may be established as our third grade teacher.  The fact of such establishment does not mean that our established third grade teacher is also our fourth grade teacher and our principal.

There are many Scriptures which speak of the limited role of the Law, that we are not under the Law, but rather we should consider ourselves dead to the Law.  There are many Scriptures which warn us to not try to use the Law improperly, such as to try to prove our own self-righteousness.

In the above-stated Galatians 3:25, we read:  “But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.” 

In the very next chapter after today’s Scripture, we read:  “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.  For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified;  for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation.”  Romans 4:13-15.

Romans 6:14
“For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.”

Galatians 5:18
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”

Romans 7:4
“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”

Galatians 3:10
“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse;  for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM.”

There are also other uses of the Law.  As one example, for the non-elect and the wicked, the Law is established to hold them justly accountable to God for punishment. 

But, the Scripture for today is talking about faith, faith in Christ, and the established role of the Law for the elect, those who will have faith in Christ.  And, that established role of the Law is to lead the elect to Christ that they may be justified by faith.

Christ is all we need for all wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption, and life.  “But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”  1 Corinthians 1:30. 

Christ, by His Spirit, will now lead us, not the Law.  “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:  immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 3:18-23.