0372. If Righteousness Is by the Law, Christ Died in Vain

If Righteousness Is by the Law, Christ Died in Vain

"I do not frustrate the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain" (Gal_2:21).

Those who are seeking salvation by the Law are ruthlessly committing two sins.

1. They are frustrating the grace of God. The sweetest note of the Bible is, "By grace are ye saved." But, "if it is of grace, it is not of works, otherwise grace is no more grace." If it is of works it is not of grace, "otherwise works are no more works."

He who would be saved by Law is fallen from grace.

2. They are causing Christ to die in vain. The agonies of Calvary were needless if salvation is by works. We go a step further, and say–If it was possible for man to be saved by the Law, apart from the Cross of Christ, then the very birth of Christ, His life, His death, and His resurrection were all in vain.

The one who seeks salvation through the deeds of the Law, compels God the Father to take the role of a cruel despot. He presents God as giving Christ to die, making His soul an offering for sin, and laying upon Him the iniquity of us all, when man, as he alleges, needs no atoning sacrifice.

Away with the blasphemy of salvation by works!

Let legalists and moralists consider carefully the results of their moral boastings. What is the need of a door, if one is going to climb up some other way?

The "be good and be saved" frustrate the grace of God. They make Christ to die in vain. After all of this they are irrevocably lost, because there is no other way than grace and no other door than the Cross of Christ.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR