February 22, 2026

“…for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all…” Romans 4:15–16

Scripture sets before us two ways by which a person could be declared righteous before God: by keeping His law or by believing His promise.

Paul teaches that the law brings about wrath because it reveals God’s perfect standard. The law requires complete obedience, not partial effort. Those who seek righteousness through the law therefore place themselves under its judgment, because anything less than perfection falls short.

“For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law them” (Galatians 3:10).

God’s law commands that we love Him with all our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37). A divided or half-hearted love cannot satisfy this command. The law demands everything, and wherever it is relied upon for righteousness, it “brings about wrath.”

This is true not only for unbelievers but also for believers if they look to their obedience for God’s approval. The law cannot give assurance, because it is never satisfied by imperfect works.

But Paul announces good news. There is another way to be righteous before God: faith in His promise. “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace.”

God does not lower His standard; instead, He provides the righteousness we cannot achieve. As Paul writes:

“…and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith…” (Philippians 3:9).

Righteousness by the law produces anxiety and despair, but righteousness by faith brings certainty, because it rests on God’s promise rather than our performance. The promise guarantees that we are declared righteous for the sake of Christ alone.

What is this promise?

That Jesus “…was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification” (Romans 4:25).

Or as Paul writes elsewhere:

“He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).