Commentary on "Justified by Faith"

MARK MARTIN

 

Day 2: Sunday, July 18, 2010 - The Deeds of the Law

 

Overview

This lesson assumes the separation of moral and ceremonial laws—called “Jewish law” in the lesson. It states that no law justifies anyone before God but points out our need of a Savior.

 

Observations

There’s something that may surprise you; the Bible does not teach that there were “ceremonial” laws. Do a quick check for yourself in a Bible concordance, and you will see that there is no reference to them. Adventism has had to make this artificial distinction to support their interpretations of key passages in the New Testament that declare a believer is not under the Law but is in a New Covenant relationship with the Lord. This relationship is based on God’s grace and it is apart from any human works. Of course, the major reason for establishing this false distinction is to establish the Adventist doctrine of Sabbath keeping for New Testament Christians.

While it is true that law does nothing to justify anyone, this lesson misses the point that there is no separation between the Ten Commandments and “Jewish law”. It was ALL “Jewish law”. Moreover, the law was given not just so people would recognize their need of a Savior to help them be “cured” of sin. Rather, verse 20 states clearly the purpose of the law:

“because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.”

Paul is building the case that prior to the giving of the law, mankind had lost the awareness of its own sin. God gave the law in order that people would become aware that they were hopeless sinners. It was not merely to point out a person’s spiritual weakness; it was given to bring an awareness of sin to the world.

 

Summary

1. There is no separation between ceremonial and moral law.
2. No law-keeping will contribute to the salvation of any person.
3. Law was not given just to make people realize they needed a Savior; rather it was given to reveal the existence of sin.
4. Through the law people come to a knowledge of sin in their own lives.

 

GO TO DAY 3

 

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