“Christ is the End of the Law”

Romans 10:4

Legalists everywhere denounce me as “a vile antinomian,” and “a promoter of licentiousness,” because I dare to assert from the pulpit and in print that which is plainly stated in Holy Scripture: — “Christ is the end of the law.” Every time I declare that statement in a sermon or an article, some work-monger is sure to warn, “You must not carry that too far. Paul’s statement in that place must not be taken out of context.”

I fully agree. We must not carry that statement too far. In fact, I insist that if you carry it any further than Paul did, or do not carry it as far as Paul did, your doctrine is utterly false. How far does Paul carry the statement? — To the “end.” “Christ is the end of the law.” That is to say, “Christ is the finishing, or the termination of the law.” I also agree that the statement must be understood in its context. — “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” The law now has no connection with righteousness!

God’s people are not inclined to give up their liberty, or be brought into bondage simply because they are denounced by religious pigmies, for whom they have nothing but contempt. God forbids it (Colossians 2:16). How our hearts rejoice to read these words of inspiration, — “Christ is the end of the law.” The Spirit of God had no fear that believers would twist his meaning into an excuse for sin. He simply declares, “Christ is the end of the law!” Take those words as they stand in the text. Let no one persuade you that the Holy Spirit meant to say, “Christ brings men into the bondage of the law.” God always says what he means and means what he says. “Christ is the end of the law!” That means Christ is the fulfillment of the law’s types, the accomplishment of the law’s prophecies, the fullness of the law’s requirements, the satisfaction of the law’s justice, and the end of the law’s dominion. Go in any direction from this point, go as far as you can, and you will not stretch the text too far. — “Christ is the end of the law!”

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” — God’s holy law cannot require greater righteousness than God’s elect have in Christ; and the law cannot require any additional righteousness from us. Jesus Christ is “the Lord our Righteousness.” And we have been made the righteousness of God in him (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; Romans 5:19; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The law gives us no justifying righteousness. The law gives us no sanctifying righteousness. And the law gives us no glorifying righteousness. Christ alone is the righteousness of his people! The law of God is not a motive for righteousness, a basis of righteousness, or a rule of righteousness to God’s saints in this world. Christ is!

“Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth!” Unbelievers are under the law. Believers are not. Unbelievers are under the curse. Believers are not. Unbelievers must have the law to make them behave. Believers do not require it (I Timothy 1:9). If you would be free from the law’s just curse, condemnation and guilt, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. If you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, you are no longer under the galling, terrorizing yoke of the law; and never again can be. Thanks be unto God! In Christ we are free!

Don Fortner

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