For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:10
Thus prayed the proud pharisee:
God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess… Luke 18:11-12
In spite of his boasted good works, the Pharisee went to down his house under the curse of the law. But why? Is it not according to God’s law to refrain from adultery and extortion? Are not tithing and fasting endorsed by Scripture?
If ‘the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good’ (Romans 7:12), why then are those who are ‘of the works of the law’ under its curse? It is because the works of such, however faultless they may be outwardly, are in fact works of sin, as they are motivated by self. Indeed, the more vigour a man puts into ‘the works of the law’, the more sin he commits.
It is written that ‘by the law is the knowledge of sin’. While it is true that the law is the transcript of God’s righteous character, it is nevertheless impossible for man, in and of himself, to attain to the righteous character of God through the works of the law. ‘All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:13). In our own strength, the righteousness we attain from the works of God’s holy law is merely our ‘own righteousness, which is of the law’ (Romans 10:5).
The law’s function is not to render us righteous, but to stop our mouths, that we ‘may become guilty before God’ (Romans 3:19). Once the law has knocked a man from his high horse, the pathway of the gospel is made straight by removing the obstruction caused by ‘the works of the law’.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Romans 3:21-22
The ‘righteousness of God’ comes ‘upon all’ who truly believe the gospel. This true righteousness of God is not ‘of the law’; it does not come upon a man by anything he does, but ‘by faith of Jesus Christ’. We see therefore, that those who boast of their works of the law – be it externally or internally – have missed entirely the purpose of the law. ‘The law entered, that the offence might abound [or make it apparent]’ (Romans 5:20). The publican, whose outward life would have been more objectionable, recognised his sinfulness, and used the law lawfully, and thereby went home justified:
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Luke 18:13
Christopher Sparks