The In-Between Faith

We hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works of law. Romans 3:21

This pericope seems to be an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. Justification apart from Law? We talk about our Justice System as something that enforces the Laws of the Land. My dictionary has six uses for the word "justify" ranging from even-spaced print to pardon. The word in the middle, "faith," in the above quote takes us out of the realm of empirical Law affecting our station in life, to the Divine Law that affects our motivation and attitude. The two "Laws" do not contradict each other, but they are complementary. To have Faith does not mean we don't have to keep the Law, but the things we think and say (our works) are also not governed by the Law. If our motivation is Faith oriented, our attitudes will be focused on the well-being of others, which is what the Law intends. The catch-22 encircles us when we suppose that Divine Law reflects Empirical Law. NO WAY. One, Divine Justice, is a Holy gift which cannot be earned by doing the right works. The other, the Legal System, demands right actions, and "right" depends upon the legislature. Let us exercise Faith in mercy one to another. Shalom, Mother BE