Romans 3:31

Does this mean? The Law = the whole Jewish religion. Does salvation by faith make the Law useless? The answer is no, not at all! The Law is upheld for the first time (Romans 8:4 and note). See what Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, and compare the note there. To be put right with God is to be pronounced innocent or guiltless. Since no man could obey the Law perfectly (see James 2:10 and note), no man could be put right with God through the works of the Law. As we reach out in faith to seize Christ, and make ourselves part of his sacrifice, his merit is RITUALLY CREDITED [imputed] to us and the Law cannot condemn us.

Three uses of law. 1. A Fence. Law serves the purpose of restraining sin and promoting righteousness. Considered from this point of view, law presupposes sin and is necessary on account of sin. It serves the purpose of God's common grace in the world at large. This means that, from this point of view, law cannot be regarded as a means of grace in the technical sense of the word. 2. A Teacher. In this capacity law serves the purpose of bringing man under conviction of sin, and of making him conscious of his inability to meet the demands of law. In that way law becomes his teacher to lead him UNTO Christ, and so becomes an assistant to God's gracious purpose of setting men free from sin. 3. A Role. This is the so-called third use of law. The law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21) is a rule of life for believers, reminding them of their duties and leading them in the way of life and salvation. The "obedience of faith" is not a thing of merit, but the living sacrifice of Romans 12:1-2; James 1:26-27; James 2:14-17; etc. This third use of law is denied by the Antinomians.