Adjusting to a New Way

Romans 15:8-16

When building a highway, it is often necessary to build temporary access roads and detours to enable people to get to where they need to go until the main highway is complete. When the highway is completed, their must still be access to the businesses and destinations, so the old routes will be eliminated or modified as needed to provide necessary access.

The Old Testament Law served a similar function. It was not Gods long term plan, but served to provide a means of postponing judgment until propitiation was completed. It ceased to serve that purpose when Christ died. Just as the destinations served by the temporary access roads and detours still must be included in the plan, requiring special connections, Christ bridged the gap between the law and God’s overall plan, to connect the promises to Abraham with God’s love for all of humanity. To do so, it was necessary that he fulfill the conditions of the Law, the circumcision, confirming the promises. At the same time, he made it possible for us to receive the same benefits who had not lived according to the law, taking our punishment for us.

“Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:8-12)

When the new road is finished, the detour is forgotten, and people travel the new road with no awareness of the inconveniences on the detour. They just enjoy the convenience of the new one. God intends for our Christian experience to be the same, free to enjoy what he has done for us

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:13)

Those who have lived with a detour for an extended period frequently find that they are intimidated by learning a new route and are not comfortable with the completed highway, especially at first. As they use it, they soon find that it is more satisfactory than the detour was. Paul has spent a great deal of time in Romans explaining what we have and how to use it. Now he encourages us to take advantage of the new way. We will be able to accomplish what is intended. We are not to let these ideas intimidate us. Like using the new highway, if we follow the Holy Spirit’s directions, what is to be done will become fairly obvious in most cases.

“And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 15:14-16)

The one thing which will make the Christian life more difficult is trying to Live it as if we were under the law. It is like trying to use drive just like we used to on the detour. If we are on the old detour, we find that it no longer goes all the way. If we are on the new road, the turns and lanes are different and turning at the same place may cause a wreck.

This is exactly what Paul warns about in Galatians 5:4-7. “ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” He instructed Timothy to cling to faith, and to God’s forgiveness as a basis of righteousness to prevent a spiritual wreck. “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” (I Timothy 1:19)

As Galatians 3:11-12 clearly states, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith…”