The Law's True Purpose: Leading Us to Christ

The law serves a critical purpose in God's redemptive plan. It reveals God's holiness and our sinfulness, it exposes our need for a Savior, and it points us to the solution that can only be found in Christ.

"So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24

The law functions as a tutor, guiding us to the realization that we need Jesus. Once we come to Christ, we are no longer under the law as a means of justification. We are clothed in His righteousness, which is a gift of grace — not something we earn or deserve.

The law served its purpose in leading us to Christ, but it cannot give life. It can diagnose the problem, but it cannot provide the cure. That is why righteousness by the law is an impossible pursuit — it reveals the problem but offers no solution.

The law can diagnose the problem, but it cannot provide the cure. Only Christ can do that.

The Righteousness of God, Apart from the Law

The righteousness that God offers is not based on law-keeping, but on faith in Jesus Christ. The law exposes our sin, but Jesus provides the righteousness that covers it.

"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." Romans 3:21–22

This is the righteousness that we are invited to receive by faith — a righteousness that is not our own, but is given to us by God through Christ. The law leads us to the cross, where we find the solution to our sin problem, and where we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, the only true garment that can cover our sin and shame.

Be Like Abraham

God called Abram and made him a promise that He would bless him and make his name great. Abram set out on his journey in obedience to God's word. However, on his journey between the promise and the fulfillment, he lied, lacked faith, became impatient, and listened to his wife Sarah — going to have a child with Hagar when God had already told him he would have a son.

Yet Abraham had a righteous standing before God. Why? Because he believed God. Some parts of the church have lost that view of the word of God — His providence, that what God said He will do, will be done. When God came to Abraham, He did not say if. There was no condition on the promise of the blessings He pronounced.

"For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:3
"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2–3
"Now when God made His promise to Abraham — since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, 'Surely I will bless you, and surely I will multiply you.' And so after waiting patiently, Abraham reached the promise." Hebrews 6:13–15

It is the same with us today who believe in Christ. We are the children of Abraham. Our salvation is not based on our works or walking right — it is based on faith. And because we have faith, we will walk according to our Father Abraham.

We see that Abraham and God had a relationship — he was called the friend of God. Abraham did not only have righteousness credited to him, he also became the friend of God because he believed God. This is in contrast to those who come to God on the basis of the law.

Righteousness is God's standard, but it is more than a standard — righteousness is life.

"Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should then have come by the law." Galatians 3:21

When we think of righteousness as merely a code of conduct to live up to, we miss the whole point of what it means to be righteous.

"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God. What does Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'" Romans 4:1–3

God did not alter His program on how to make people righteous — it was always by faith. The ministry of Jesus was to show people that it was not by works of the law but by faith. The heart of the conflict Jesus had with the Jews of His day was their lack of understanding of the purpose of the law.

The Invitation

This is the liberating truth at the heart of the gospel: you don't have to earn your standing before God. It has been given to you. Christ's righteousness is your clothing. His finished work is your foundation. All you need to do is believe — just like Abraham.