Galatians 3:11,12

St Paul by reference to two other familiar passages of the O.T. confirms his assertion that justification cannot be by the Law. He has proved from Scripture that no man can be justified by a Law which pronounces a curse on all who fail to render a perfect obedience to its commands. He now from another Scripture shews that there isa way, opened by God Himself, in which sinners have found, and may find pardon and acceptance, yea, a perfect righteousness and the true life. The prophet Habakkuk declares, "The just shall live by faith". This cannot apply to those who seek life in the Law; for itscondition is, -Do this, and thou shalt live". Entirely contrary and antagonistic is the condition of the Gospel, -Believe and live". It is not a differenceon which St Paul insists. It is oppositionbetween faith and works, grace and merit, the Gospel and the Law. When God justifies a sinner through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no place left for human merit. If Christ's merit, appropriated by faith, is not sufficient to justify us, we are lost. If it issufficient, our imperfect, faltering, sin-stained obedience can add nothing to that sufficiency.