Does Faith Give Permission to Sin? Understanding Paul on Law and Grace

The principle that faith does not grant permission to sin but rather enables us to fulfill the law is most clearly articulated by Paul in the book of Romans. In Romans 3:31 he asks, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law" Romans 3:31. This "faith which worketh by love" is the only thing that avails in Christ Jesus, for love is the actual fulfilling of the law Galatians 5:6ARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3.

The Harmony of Faith and the Law

Faith and the law are not in opposition; rather, faith provides the power to meet the law's righteous requirements.

• Establishment through Faith: Instead of making the law void or of no effect, true faith establishes it by bringing the believer into a state of harmony with God's government Romans 3:31ARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3.

• No License for Sin: Righteousness by faith never means that a person is absolved from allegiance to God or can break His precepts with impunity 1 John 3:5SITI July 13, 1888, page 422.5.

• The Power to Obey: The virtue to fulfill the law is found within the gift of faith itself, which allows Christ's own life of obedience to be manifested in the believerARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3+1.

How Faith Fulfills the Law

The law is not kept in order to be saved, but because the soul has already been saved by grace through faithARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3.

• Imparted Power: To those who believe, Christ not only imputes His merit but also imparts His power to overcome sin and stand complete in HimYI August 16, 1894, par. 3+1.

• The Spirit's Work: The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in those who walk after the Spirit, as the Holy Spirit writes the law upon the "fleshly tables of the heart" Romans 8:4SITI April 13, 1888, page 230.15+1.

• A Sinless Life: The goal of the Christian experience is to reach a point where we no longer dishonor God by transgression, choosing instead a life of perfect, flawless righteousness through the strength of the Redeemer22LtMs, Lt 202, 1907, par. 7+2.

The Distinction Between Covenants

The transition from the old covenant to the new is a transition from trying to obey in human strength to obeying through the "obedience of faith"PTUK July 30, 1891, page 248.5+1.

• Newness of Spirit: Under the new covenant, we serve in the "newness of spirit," where faith reveals the source of our strength to keep the holy, just, and good law Romans 7:6TSPL 10.2.

• Freedom from Bondage: Outside of Christ, there is only the bondage of sin; true freedom is found only through conformity to the law of God by faith Psalms 119:45SITI April 13, 1888, page 230.15.

• The Example of Abraham: Abraham's faith was accounted for righteousness because it led him to obey God's voice and keep His charge, commandments, and laws Genesis 26:5PP 370.3.

...worketh by love.” And as love is the fulfilling of the law, then in Christ nothing avails but faith which fulfils the law—not faith and the fulfilling of the law, but faith which fulfils the law. The law is kept, not in order to be saved, but because we are saved. It is only the saved, the righteous, man that can fulfil the law; therefore he fulfils the law onl...— ARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3

...nding 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 or by us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:3, 4. Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life.” Outside of Christ there is bondage, and only bondage-the bondage of sin-no matter how zealously the individual may endeavor to fulfill the righteousness of the law. We are weak, and of ourselves can do nothing. But the spotless Lamb of God, our sacrifice, can cleanse from sin. In him we may be strong enough to overcome. Through faith in his blood we may be cleansed not only from the guilt of sin-the remission of the sins that are past-but also from the love of sin-thus fulfilling the law, for “the just shall live by faith.” Christ alone can give true freedom, the freedom which comes alone through conformity to the law of God. Psalm 119:45— SITI April 13, 1888, page 230.15

...ledge of the meaning of some of the simplest terms in our language, to show one that this text does not teach that righteous men are absolved from allegiance to the law of God, and that they may break it with impunity. For “lawless” means contrary to law, and if a righteous man should think himself at liberty to disregard the law, he would at once become one of the lawless ones, for whom the apostle says that the law “is made.” This shows the necessity for the righteous to keep the law, if they would retain their righteousness— SITI July 13, 1888, page 422.5

...e law of God fully. Why not? Because we do not understand the power of justification by faith. Then without justification by faith it is impossible to preach the law of God to the fullest extent. Then to preach justification by faith does not detract from or lower the law of God, but is the on...— WOR 200.3 (1896)

...have righteousness without a flaw, without a blemish. God gave his son to die for the world, but he did not die to repeal the law which was holy and just and good. The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary is an unanswerable argument showing the immutability of the law. Its penalty was felt by the Son of God in behalf of guilty man, that through his merits the sinner might obtain the virtue of his spotless character by faith in his name. The sinner was provided with a second opportunity to keep the law of God in the strength of his Divine Redeemer. The cross of Calvary forever condemns the idea that Satan has placed before the Christian world, t...— ST May 19, 1890, par. 10 (1874)