Romans 12:32

 

The Fulfillment of the Law Through Christ

The New Testament proves that salvation is achieved through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, rather than through adherence to morality or the written code. Several verses explicitly affirm that Jesus paid for the sins of the WORLD, highlighting the sufficiency of His atoning work. These verses lay the foundation for understanding why continuing to rely on the law for salvation is inconsistent with the message of the Gospel.

John 1:29

John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). This declaration emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Jesus' atonement. By taking away the sin of the world, Jesus fulfilled what the law could not achieve—complete reconciliation between humanity and God. The law, with its regulations and sacrifices, was never intended to be the ultimate solution for sin but rather a temporary measure pointing towards the need for a perfect Savior.

1 John 2:2

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). This verse underscores that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient for all humanity. Relying on the law for salvation implies that Jesus' sacrifice is inadequate, which contradicts the New Testament's teaching. Jesus' atoning sacrifice is a once-for-all event that renders any further attempts to earn salvation through the law redundant and unnecessary.

1 Peter 2:24

"He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed" (1 Peter 2:24). This verse highlights the transformative power of Jesus' sacrifice. Through His death, believers are called to die to sin and live in righteousness. Obeying the law as a means of salvation suggests that the cross is insufficient for transformation and redemption. Instead, true righteousness is a result of Christ's work, not human effort.

The ongoing reliance on the law for salvation denies the finality and completeness of Jesus' sacrifice. Believers are called to live in the newness of life provided by Christ, not to revert to the old system of the law.

So, these verses collectively affirm that Jesus' atoning sacrifice is the sole basis for salvation. Relying on the law contradicts the essence of the Gospel, which declares that salvation is a gift of grace through faith in Christ alone. By believing in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, believers are freed from the law's demands and enter into a new covenant of grace. Continuing to obey the law as a means of salvation denies the completeness and sufficiency of Christ's redemptive work, thereby missing the true essence of the Gospel.

Galatians 5:3 states, “Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.” This verse implies that adhering to one aspect of the Mosaic Law, such as circumcision, obligates the individual to comply with the entire law. However, the impossibility of perfectly obeying the law ultimately underscores human sinfulness and the need for grace through faith in Christ.

No one can perfectly obey the law because human nature is inherently flawed. As it says in James 2:10, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” This means that even if someone follows most of the commandments, a single transgression renders them a lawbreaker. Thus, attempting to achieve righteousness through the law is futile, as it is impossible to uphold it in its entirety.

The Consequences of Breaking the Law

The Old Testament outlines the severe consequences of failing to uphold the law. Deuteronomy 27:26 states, “Cursed is anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out.” This curse signifies the condemnation that comes from failing to meet the law’s demands. By trying to justify oneself through the law, an individual subjects themselves to its curses, highlighting their sinful state and the inadequacy of the law to provide salvation.

Galatians 3:10 reinforces this by stating, “For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’” This curse underscores the necessity of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. Jesus fulfilled the law’s demands and took upon Himself the curse of the law to provide salvation through faith.