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Once the problem of sin is taken care of, God can righteously justify sinners—grant them the good standing of right relationship. All they have to do is believe. Men and women are justified by faith apart from observing the Mosaic Law. If justification were by observing the law, God would be the God of the Jews only. In that case, only the Jews could possibly be justified, since only they have the Mosaic Law. But there is only one God. The God of the Jews and the God of the Gentiles is the same person. Therefore, God justifies Jews and Gentiles on the same basis—by faith, not by observing the law. Thus no one can boast.
This principle of justification by faith does not nullify but upholds (is consonant with) the law. Correctly understood, the principle of faith and that of the law are the same. God took the initiative to establish the covenant with the Jews and extended grace to them. The Mosaic Law is a part of this covenant, instructing them how to live. If Israel observes the law, the covenant of grace continues and the promised blessings follow. Otherwise, God can cancel the covenant and terminate the blessings. Without the promise in the covenant, merely obeying the law would not bring the blessing (Noth, 131). Obedience to the law is a manifestation of faithfulness to and trust in God. Thus faith is consonant with the law. Faith achieves what the law intends. So faith establishes the law. As 7:7-25 indicates, human beings, on their own, cannot observe the law. The righteous requirements of the law can be fulfilled only in those who live according to the Spirit (8:4), which is done by faith.