Faith

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

Romans 3 : 28 

This is good news: we don't have to keep God's law to be justified and made righteous by him! Does that mean to say we can be lawless? By no means! Paul goes on to say that he upholds the law. But how do the law and faith work together?

James says that faith without works is dead. Is he contradicting Paul? Not at all. Paul is saying that we are saved through faith in Christ alone. James goes on to say that saving faith in Christ is never alone and is always accompanied by works. Works are the evidence of faith as movement is evidence of life.

Even the law implied the truth of this. The 10 commandments begin, "I am the Lord who brought you out of slavery in Egypt." The gospel tells us of the Lord who brought us out of slavery to sin. The implication of that is not that we can do whatever we like, but that we should live righteous lives.

The law isn't bad; it's us who are bad. But Christ is better: he is the lawgiver and the fulfillment of the law. If we seek to obey him we will be doing the right thing. The law makes us aware of our sinfulness; Christ makes us aware of his righteousness credited to our account.

"Father God, thank you for making me aware of my sin through your law. But I praise you for Christ who has dealt with my sin and is my righteousness. Help me to give a righteous life, for your glory, amen"