072. ROM 8:3-4. INABILITY OF THE LAW TO SAVE THE SINNER

Rom_8:3-4. Inability of the Law to Save the Sinner

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."’97Rom_8:3-4

The text presents to us a condensed view of the plan of redemption. An outline of that glorious scheme by which salvation was effected for our fallen world. Notice,

I. The Inefficiency of the Law expressed.

"For what the law could not do," &c. By the law in the text is evidently meant the moral law, but it also includes every other; viz. the Adamic, and the ceremonial The inefficiency of the law relates to man’s restoration. The law has no ability to save the transgressor; all that the law can do is to be a rule of life, approve of the perfectly obedient, and bind over the transgressor to receive the infliction of he just penalty denounced. It cannot accept of imperfect obedience; it cannot wink at iniquity; it cannot accept repentance; it cannot mitigate any of its claims. More especially,

1. It cannot pardon the guilty.

And man requires this, or he must perish forever. Its inexorable verdict, "The soul that sinneth shall die."

2. It could not remove the impurity of the soul.

The law is totally unacquainted with any remedy for the depravity which transgression has produced. It is very strikingly personified in the priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side.

3. It could not restore man from his alienated state by adoption.

No: rather having expelled the delinquent from the peaceful retreats of Eden, it placed at the entrance "cherubim, and a flaming sword, to keep the way of the tree of life."

4. It could not prevent the full infliction of the full penalty.

There is no disposition in the law to prevent it. It delivers the debtor to the officer, and consigns him to prison, from which it possesses neither will nor ability to release him, till he has paid the uttermost farthing. Now, this inability is said to arise from the "weakness of the flesh." That is, the fallen depraved state of man. It was able to do all it was designed, viz., to approve and reward the obedient; but when it became weak by transgression, it ceased to possess any ability to promote his well-being. Notice,

II. The Glorious Expedient which God adopted.

What the law could not do, God, by sending his own Son, hath done. Here we have,

1. The Author of this expedient.

God. The Creator of the world, the Ruler of the universe, is the source of redemption. From him it emanated. He pitied’97devised the scheme’97and brought salvation. "God so loved," &c. "Here in is love," &c. Notice,

2. The blessed Agent employed.

"His own Son." Not in the same sense that believers are sons, or as the angels are called sons; but in a more especial and dignified sense. His "only son"’97his "only-begotten Son." Though Son, yet co-eternal with the Father’97equal in power authority, and glory. Heir of the world "Lord of all." "God over all, blessed for evermore." Notice,

3. The commission of this Agent.

God sending his own Son. Does not imply real inferiority in the person sent, only official subordination. Much less does it suppose unwillingness on the part of the agent; no, he freely offered himself. He delighted to come to do the will of God. "His delights were with the children of men." He came freely and cheerfully of his own love and grace. Notice,

4. The form he assumed.

"Likeness of sinful flesh." Became really and truly a man, dwelt in a tabernacle of flesh. "Made of a woman." "God manifest in the flesh." Thus became the kinsman of those he came to redeem’97capable of suffering, &c. Though flesh, yet "not sinful," only "likeness of sinful flesh." See Heb_6:26; Luk_1:34, &c.

5. The work he was sent, to effect.

To "condemn sin in the flesh." His holy conception condemned original sin. His spotless life condemned practical iniquity’97his discourses condemned it’97his sufferings and death especially condemned it. Thus, the law was exalted’97penalty due to sin paid’97laver of regeneration provided’97means of adoption obtained’97title for eternal life procured. Consider,

III. The Grand Design which God contemplated in sending his Son.

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." That believers in God’s own Son,

1. Might be justified and considered righteous.

All who believe in him, are justified from all things, &c.

2. That they might be made truly righteous.

"Blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin," &c. "He is made unto his people sanctification."

3. That they might be distinguished for works of righteousness.

Called to these; and by the quickening and strengthening aids of the Spirit, "they perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord;"

Cor.Luk_7:1. The true evidence of their acceptance and sanctification is, "They walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Application

(1) How great the goodness of God to our fallen world! (2) How invaluably precious and important the work of Christ (3) How necessary faith and obedience to the law of the Spirit.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS