Romans 3:27-31

Scripture Verse

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, ³⁰ since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹ Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Faith vs Karma

As I was born into a Hindu family and raised under the influence of the Hindu community, at the age of 11 I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior.  There was a paradigm shift from the concepts of Karma (actions/works/deeds) and Dharma (duty/law) to a system based on grace and faith.

Most Hindus believe that liberation is achieved through a person’s own efforts, good deeds or self-purification to balance out karmic debts. The “justification by faith” in verse 28 stands in contrast to the traditional understanding of Karma.

Paul argues that “boasting” is excluded because right-standing with God is not earned. It is a free gift received through faith in Christ’s work, rather than a result of one’s own religious rituals or moral achievements.

As we are going through the period of Lent, we are called not to boast neither in ourselves nor in our achievements, instead to boast in understanding and knowing Him, as He delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness as stated in Jeremiah 9:23-24. It’s a call to shift focus from self-glorification to glorifying God by recognizing His character and His delight in demonstrating His love and justice on Earth.

Upholding of the Law (Dharma)
Verse 31 addresses the concern that faith might lead to lawlessness, The law is not nullified, Dharma (righteous living / order), this passage suggests that faith is not an excuse to abandon moral responsibility. Instead, faith provides spiritual empowerment to truly fulfill the righteous standard that the law requires. So, by definition, law is good as it serves the purpose of honoring God, our Creator.

Prayer:

Thank you for saving us by grace. Lord our heavenly Father help us to be humble, not to boast, help us not to follow our tradition blindly, but to serve you whole heartily, our only true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.