The doctrine for which Paul is known is the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. Nowhere is this doctrine more clearly explained than in Philippians 3:3-15. If we would interpret Romans, Chapters Three through Five correctly we must do so in terms of Philippians 3:3-15. It is here that Paul explains "the righteousness which is of God by faith."

In Romans, Chapters Three through Five, Paul explains to the Jews that the salvation God has given us through Christ is not based on works of righteousness we have performed nor on our obedience to the Law and ordinances of Moses.

The Jew is oriented toward pleasing God by doing the works of the Law. Paul points out that God has given us His righteousness apart from the keeping of the Law. We must let go of our attempts to please God by the Law and receive the righteousness God has given in Christ. The righteousness of Christ will be ascribed to us if we will look up from our dead efforts to please God and receive by faith the righteousness in Christ that God has provided for us.

We Gentiles do not have a background of the Law. We are interpreting Paul's arguments to mean God does not care how we behave. We believe God is saving us from Hell on the basis of confessing with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believing that God has raised Him from the dead.

The converted Jew has a background of moral training and conscience that may serve to keep him from sinning until he learns to walk according to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ.

Many Gentiles have no such background. They conceive of Christianity as a gift to them of life and glory apart from any marriage to righteousness on their part. They merely confess the name of Christ and state their belief in the particular doctrinal positions of the group that is evangelizing them. Now they are saved "by grace," meaning that God is not interested in their behavior but in their acceptance of the truths concerning Christ.

The Gentile interpretation and application of Paul's doctrine is a perversion of God's intention in Christ. Our conscience (if not our common sense) ought to tell us that God did not send His Son into the world so believing Gentiles can live as they please and then enter Paradise on the strength of a doctrinal position.

The concept of Christian grace as an alternative to godly living is working hand in hand with the contemporary emphasis on the centralization of man and the rights of people, with the result that both Christian and secular society are degenerating rapidly. The present level of moral behavior soon will bring on the peoples of the earth the most terrible expressions of the wrath of God mankind yet has experienced.

To be continued.