For Thought and Discussion

As I was studying through my Romans bible study this morning (3-29-09), I came across a "For Thought and Discussion" question that I really had to grapple with a bit.  Here is the question:  "If it were possible to obey God's Law on your own, without His enabling power, would God declare you righteous without faith in Christ's work?"

Here is the reason I found this question so difficult; I cannot fathom myself or anyone else ever being able to do so. I know from scripture that all men are totally depraved and none do good, none can do good, and none seek after God or even have a desire for God apart from God's work in their lives.  The question seemed stupid and absurd to me.  

However, as I stopped to ponder this question, I answered it with a "yes."  With that in mind, think about this.  If we were indeed able to obey and keep the whole Law perfectly, without His aid or assistance, it would suggest that we were not totally depraved but did indeed have some good in us apart from God and it would nullify the need for Christ to come and die in the first place.  Paul, in his writings, refutes these idea profusely and says that it cannot be.  Salvation is through Christ alone; through His grace and our faith in Him by repenting of our sin and turning to Him.  

Yes, I suppose that if we were able to keep the whole Law, God would declare us righteous apart from the work of Christ.  However, this is not possible.  We are a totally depraved people who cannot do anything good apart from the work of Christ.  If we had been able to do so, Christ would never have had to come and all of scripture would be a lie.

Praise God that it is and always will be all about Christ!  Praise God that salvation is through Christ and Christ alone!  Praise God that it does not depend on me.