Where,
then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires
works? No, because of the law that requires faith. Romans 3:27 | NIV
The
bible speaks of two different types of law: one that requires works and
another
that requires faith. The first is entirely dependent on the energy of
man, while
the second is entirely dependent on the meritorious work of Christ on
the
cross. Those who seek to be made good by their good works cannot escape
the
snare of another law which the bible calls the law of sin. This law of
sin is
resident in the flesh and shows up each time one attempts to please God
by his
own good works. Romans 7 describes this condition when it says that the
things
I hate to do, that I find myself doing, but that which I like to do, I
find
myself unable to do. This state of helplessness results each time we
want to please God by the law of works; this happens because of the
weakness of the flesh. Romans
8:4.
On
the other hand, there is also the law that the bible calls the law of
the
Spirit. This law comes into operation when a saved person realises that
the flesh is of no use in his desire to live a life well pleasing to
God, and therefore relies on the
Holy Spirit for guidance. This is the law that assures him of victory
each
time. It is this law of the Spirit of life in Christ that works faith
and helps
us to fulfil the law of God. Until we walk in the Spirit, walking by
faith will
remain a mere wish. The apostle Paul found that the victory that be
longed for was possible only as he relied on the Holy Spirit, and the
same is true for us also.
Toni
