Notice the declaration (above) made under the reign of the Law of Moses: This is the first appearance of the famous sentence. Can you see that the contrast is not between belief and unbelief (as it is presented today) but between pride and faith? The individual, especially the religionist, who attempts to please God in the pride of his own wisdom and strength is unrighteous. The person who humbly trusts in God and obeys God is regarded as righteous, whether he or she is under the Law or under the Gospel.

The argument is that people do not find approval with God by lifting up themselves, by walking in their own wisdom and strength, especially in religious matters. Instead they are to look in faith toward God for approval, resting in Him and seeking His will in all matters. The righteous look to God rather than themselves. True faith is a continual interaction with the living Lord Jesus. This seems to be close to the center of the concept. Humility enters in, and also trust in the goodness of God. Probably some wholesome fear is included, as we notice in the case of Noah.

And then:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16,17—NASB)

Paul is preparing to present the Gospel to the Jews, showing that righteousness does not come by a slavish adherence to the Law but only as we follow God in faith. When God requires that we keep the Law of Moses, then we are found righteous when we faithfully obey God. When God requires that we leave the Law of Moses and look to Jesus Christ for salvation, then we are found righteous when we faithfully obey God.

Heartless, blind obedience to the Law of Moses does not bring righteousness. A shallow, heartless subscription to that theological statement, the "four steps of salvation" does not of itself bring righteousness and salvation (although the four steps sometimes are presented as a formula by which we can gain the approval of God without living a subsequent life of trust and humble dependence on the Lord). Rather it is obedience to the living God, a heart of trust and humility that pursues God each day, that brings righteousness and fellowship with God.

Next:

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "The righteous man shall live by faith." (Galatians 3:11—NASB)

Paul was resisting pressure from the Judaizers who were insisting the converts to Christianity keep the Law of Moses. Paul was stating that the Law itself does not bring right standing with God, it is faith that God accepts.

Martin Luther was resisting pressure from the Catholic scholars who emphasized penances, fasting, whipping one's self, and other forms of self-denial and pain as the means of obtaining right standing with God. Luther's revelation was that it is faith in God that brings righteousness in God's sight, not our own efforts to punish ourselves.

To be continued.