But Now

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The words but now are found in many places in the Bible, but most often in the Epistles of Paul. These two words are deeply significant, for they indicate a change in program. Paul used the words “but now” to note the contrast of men living under the demands of the Law versus living by faith in Christ alone. If my secretary is transcribing some dictation and I say: “But now I would like you to take a letter,” this indicates a change in program.

So we find “but now” here in Rom. 3:21:

Prior to this time God’s people (Israel) were under “the Law.” There was no other way to approach God. But though under “the Law,” they constantly broke “the Law,” so that those who sought salvation by “the Law” stood before God condemned rather than justified. Thus the Apostle Paul wrote in Verse 20:

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” the righteousness of God without the law is manifested (in Christ)” (Ver. 21).

How can this be? How can a man be declared righteous apart from the Law?

The answer, the only answer is, by grace through faith in Christ.

Though perfect and sinless, Christ died for our sin. Whose sin? Yours and mine. Thus as Paul declares in Acts 13:38-39:

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith (in Christ’s cross), without (doing) the deeds of the law” (Rom. 3:28).

Thus Paul declared:

“For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but It Is The Gift Of God; 9  Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law's demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.]” (Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP)