ROMANS 10:4

“For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.”

Coming to the end of something can be either rewarding or sad. Take for instance, finishing your college degree is a very rewarding accomplishment. Getting that diploma with all the pomp and circumstance that goes with it can be a milestone in your life. In contrast, coming to the end of a relationship can be depressing and hollow. But life is full of endings, isn’t it?

Today’s verse has been the topic of much disagreement in the scholarly world. Some say this verse meant that Jesus ended the ceremonial law while others say it refers to the moral law. But I tend to agree with Barnes here that “by faith in Christ the same end is accomplished in regard to our justification, that would be by perfect obedience to the moral law.” The Jews were trying to reach this perfect ending by perfectly obeying the law, which we know is not possible. It was like the goalpost kept getting moved. It was like they would take two steps forward and one step back (or vice versa). Paul states here that Jesus was the fulfillment of the law that they were all searching for. His righteousness was the answer.

APPLICATION

How can we apply this truth to our lives? Well, let me ask you a question. What are you trying to do to gain righteousness? Well Carl, I go to church every Sunday. I give ten percent to the church. I rescue little kittens off the street. Okay, that last one was pushing it, lol. But you get the picture. We try to accomplish something that has already been accomplished. We don’t need to do a thing to gain this righteousness. We simply accept it as a gift from the Father once we place our trust in His Son.

The Greek word for “end” is telos. It is used extensively throughout the New Testament and is defined as end, completion, and even purpose. This last definition fits well in today’s verse. Christ was the full purpose of the law. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Christ wasn’t God’s plan B in case His plan A failed (the Mosaic Law). No! God planned from the beginning to supply the perfect purpose, His Son Jesus. He was the only remedy for fallen man.

When you come to the end of yourself, you find you need a purpose. I have a friend who has a son who is trying to find his purpose in life. He currently has no motivation to do much of anything. I told my friend that his son needs purpose. Every man needs a purpose. God has given us that. Jesus is the ultimate purpose, the ultimate end result. He is the only provider of righteousness. Trust Him with that and tell others how they can find their end in Him.

Lord God, thank You for giving us the telos in Christ. He fulfills us all.

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