Can the Law Bear Our Salvation?

Sometimes, the fruit of salvation in Jesus is immediate. Some people get saved from hell and immediately know their lives are forever changed for good. Some people get saved and know they're free of their past sins, and that the New Testament is their forever friend.

That way of salvation sometimes comes to heart little by little: a Bible-study group here, a church service there, a talk with a pastor, an eye-opening sermon, someone's heart-felt prayer.

The Christian experience doesn't reach everyone in quite the same way always. Everyone's testimony is different, especially for those bound in prisons and in oppressive nations.

But how on earth is any prisoner finding or holding to life in Christ? After all, Paul says, in Galatians 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

How does anyone find and hold to faith in Jesus when living under harshness of law? Isn't the Bible saying the law can't bring about righteous results?

When we ask ourselves questions like that, we always have to remember that all things ultimately work together for good of those who trust the Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

So, no, righteousness can't come about from the strict hand of law. It's not the direct work of the law that gives us our salvation and goodness in Jesus. But, sometimes, the law can and does help people recognize wrong, and can and does bind or secure those who are intent on wrongdoing, so that we all, as individuals, can begin to have peace and productivity in life.

In fact, sometimes, some people's purpose in being bound by some work of law is to expose the fact that that work of law is wrong.

And, in other cases, prisoners have learned not to focus on what the law is doing at all, but only to think on the promise of Jesus that comes through ministries who visit.

Sometimes, those bound by law realize Jesus much more fully, and find their freedom in Him, both spiritually and physically.

But the law isn't what causes anyone to know Christ. The law can't produce anyone's righteousness. But the law can give time and opportunity to better recognize wrongs, and to begin desiring what's good and right, to begin growing toward the light of Jesus.

That's not true of everyone who gets saved. Some people get saved from their past sins apart from anyone's prison, and, for some, prison only tests their faith.

But, for all, the law can and does affect how well we want to live and grow in righteousness. And it's our faith that produces that increase in godly desire. Only faith — not law — grows us in righteousness.

There is, therefore, now, no condemnation, anymore, for those who walk not after the flesh but who trust in Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

Persecution is a Bible promise to believers, that's true. But eternal condemnation isn't the end result for us, no matter how anything may seem.

The site traditionally identified as Paul’s prison at Philippi was actually a cistern for storing water during the century after Jesus was crucified, reports one blogger. But, keep in mind, cisterns were sometimes used as prisons in Old Testament times. Remember, Jeremiah was held in a cistern at the temple in Jerusalem, for a while.