The old law was NOT based on faith.
Galatians 3:12 The law is not based on faith;
If someone wanted to be a child of God's, they had to get circumcised and do the other purification/ceremonial works.
However, God did not like it that a person could sin, give a sin offering, but not really be sorry for their sins. There were Jews who had faith and did the purification works, and there were Jews who did NOT have faith but did the purification works. God said that He was going to make a new covenant one day.
We have the new covenant since Jesus; and, it is a covenant that is based on faith, living faith. Living faith is faith with obedience; dead faith is faith alone.
Paul's point in that passage is that the Law was not of faith ALONE.
The Law was of faith, but of works that demonstrated that faith.
Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
In other words, they were mere pew warmers. They walked the talk, but did not really believe the Law.
As a result, we read of that exact same problem here...
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 5:47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Romans 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
They had not believed from the heart what they had professed they believed by their outward works.
Outward, they had a form of godliness.
Inward? Dead man's bones.
Remind you of anyone on TOL?
Rom. 5: 6-8 towards ya.
