God's Condemnation Of All Men

GOD'S CONDEMNATION OF ALL MEN (EVEN THE MOST RELIGIOUS) DOES NOT CONTRADICT THE VALUE OF SPIRITUAL PRIVILEGES OR THE CONSISTENCY OF GOD'S OWN CHARACTER (HIS FAITHFULNESS AND JUSTICE)

1. Spiritual Privileges Do Have Value (:1-2)

Question: What advantage is there in being a Jew?

Restated: What value is there in circumcision?

Spiritual identity and religious heritage do not automatically gain

God's favor--but that does not mean they are all a big waste.

a. There are many advantages and benefits--with the most important being possession and knowledge of the Word of God

b. God has granted spiritual privileges not to promote complacency but to encourage application and outreach to others

"entrusted" -- a stewardship

Revelation (although it carries with it accountability) is a privilege and much preferred above the state of ignorance

2. God's Condemnation of All Men Does Not Contradict the Consistency of His Own Character (:3-8)

a. He remains Faithful (reliable in performing His promises) :3-4

God remains faithful to HIs promises to bless the Jews in a special way despite the unbelief and disobedience of some.

Proof text (:4) from Ps.51 where David reminds us that God will always be proved right (when all the facts are in) when He speaks--what He says will prove out to be true

b. He remains Just (manifesting His righteousness in action) :5-6

Lightning appears brightest when the sky is the darkest;

In the same way God's righteousness looks even better agains the backdrop of darker sin.

But that does not make God inconsistent when He judges sin. Sin can never be justified; only condemned.

Every Jew would grant that God is obligated to judge the world.

c. Restatement and Conclusion (:7-8) final answer to the objectors:

the absurdity of the logical extension of their arguments

1) The absurdity of the argument against God's truthfulness

2) The absurdity of the argument against God's righteousness

3) Conclusion: "Their condemnation is deserved"