Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20).
A man who had never been to sea before was crossing the Bay of Biscay and saw what he thought to be an approaching hurricane. Trembling with fear, he said to one of the experienced sailors, "Do you think we will be able to live through it?" "Through what?" smiled the sailor. "Through the fast-approaching storm." The sailor smiled and said, "You need have no fear of that storm. It will never touch us. It has passed already."
So it is with believers. Judgment for their sin is passed already. Christ has been tried, condemned, and executed on the cross in their stead. He died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). As the apostle Paul puts is: "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). God's law "could not justify man, because in his sinful nature he could not keep the law" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 373).
"The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has ben transgressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning sacrifice" (The Great Controversy, pp. 467, 468).
Our text emphasizes a negative promise--by the deeds of the law no flash shall be justified in God's sight. We need to remember this. It is not by our works that we are saved. It is only by the works of Christ that we are made just or righteous before God.
Jesus died for us, and we have accepted His sacrifice. Therefore God looks upon Him and sees His righteousness in place of sin.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness" (Ps. 4:1).
A man who had never been to sea before was crossing the Bay of Biscay and saw what he thought to be an approaching hurricane. Trembling with fear, he said to one of the experienced sailors, "Do you think we will be able to live through it?" "Through what?" smiled the sailor. "Through the fast-approaching storm." The sailor smiled and said, "You need have no fear of that storm. It will never touch us. It has passed already."
So it is with believers. Judgment for their sin is passed already. Christ has been tried, condemned, and executed on the cross in their stead. He died for our sins (1 Cor. 15:3). As the apostle Paul puts is: "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). God's law "could not justify man, because in his sinful nature he could not keep the law" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 373).
"The law reveals to man his sins, but it provides no remedy. While it promises life to the obedient, it declares that death is the portion of the transgressor. The gospel of Christ alone can free him from the condemnation or the defilement of sin. He must exercise repentance toward God, whose law has ben transgressed; and faith in Christ, his atoning sacrifice" (The Great Controversy, pp. 467, 468).
Our text emphasizes a negative promise--by the deeds of the law no flash shall be justified in God's sight. We need to remember this. It is not by our works that we are saved. It is only by the works of Christ that we are made just or righteous before God.
Jesus died for us, and we have accepted His sacrifice. Therefore God looks upon Him and sees His righteousness in place of sin.
MEDITATION PRAYER: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness" (Ps. 4:1).
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