Have you ever wondered, “Why would God create people when He knew they would go against Him?”
Here’s a question that is somewhat related; “Why would God choose a people and give His Laws to them when God knew they would disobey?” The answer of course is always in the Bible!
Please open your Bibles to Romans Chapter 3.
God through the Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Rome 2000 years ago. In the second half of Romans 2, God spoke to the Jews in the church and told them to stop bragging about their uniqueness as Israelites. Remember, God always looks at the heart and God told the Jews that they had no right to brag because they are just as sinful as the non-Jews, the Gentiles. What good then is it in being a Jew and God’s Laws given to them? This is the question posed in Romans 3.
I’ve asked Tom Corona to read for us today. As Tom comes forward, let us pray our commitment to God’s Word…… Romans 3….
And so, at the beginning of Romans 3, God Himself through the apostle Paul asks the question,
“Is there really anything special about being a Jew and was it a waste in giving the Israelites God’s Law?”
We immediately see the answer in verse 2: The Jews and their heritage are special to God! Why is this? The Jews were entrusted with the Words of God!
You know, God giving His Words to the Jews is almost like me having a million dollars and because I love you, I give you the million dollars. God loved the Jews!
And by the way, I do love all of you, but I don’t have a million dollars!
Now, if I did have a million dollars and gave it to you because I love you but you gambled it all away, does your action nullify my love for you??
Absolutely not!
This is exactly what God is saying in v3-4 of Romans 2. God gives and instructs because He loves people, especially the Jews! And Whatever people do with God’s provisions will not nullify God’s love! God is love!
What does John 3:16 say??
Does everyone in the world believe in God’s Son, Jesus Christ??
How many people in the world does God love??
Even if people don’t believe in God, God’s love remains!
And everyone will have an opportunity to hear God’s love and have a choice in receiving or rejecting Jesus Christ.
Now look again at v5-8 of Romans 3………
Remember in Romans 1 and 2, God proved that both non-religious and religious people have sinned against God. Here in Romans 3, God actually convicts the intellectuals! The intellectual argues, if God just wants to prove who He is with people, how can He judge them? Pretty good argument isn’t it? What is the answer??
If God is God, then He can do whatever He wants and He would be right! And Romans 1:18-20 told us that God has made it plain to everyone who He is! The problem is not with God, the problem is with people denying God!
If God is Creator of all things including people, He has a right to judge everything! God is the only righteous Judge!
And God affirms all of this in Romans 3:9-18, with the emphasis in v10. There is none righteous, not even one!
Through Creation and through His Words, God has made it clear that He is a Holy Perfect God but people still do not believe! But remember, God loves people! What does God have to do to show His love for people? Romans 5:8 tells us; But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus Christ, who is God Himself, sacrificed Himself for people once and for all! Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the Messiah and the Only way back to God. When people die, they will either go to heaven because of their faith in Messiah Jesus or face eternal judgment away from God! God’s final offer of love has been given! Hebrews 9:27 states, Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment!
Now again, why are Jews special to God? God chose the Jews to give His Law! And why did God give His Law?
What do we read in v20? - through the law we become conscious of sin. God’s Law, God’s Word, tells us how Holy God is and how unrighteous all people are!
Now, does it end here? Is this all what God’s Law does;
telling us that we are all unrighteous before God?
Read along with me again Romans 3:21-26……..
Verse 21 tells us that the Law testifies a righteousness from God being known! God’s Law makes us conscious of our unrighteousness but God’s Law also leads us to how we can be righteous! God’s Law leads us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate gift from God, who justifies people freely to be cleared of all unrighteousness!
Was Jesus Christ a Jew or a Gentile??
God’s Chosen People, Israel, is essential to Jesus Christ! And the Law through God’s prophets is essential to the Good News of Jesus Christ!
Now, let’s briefly go back to John 3:16. Just because God has given Jesus Christ as the gift of righteousness, is everyone going to have eternal life in heaven?? No!
Remember, whatever people do with God’s provisions will not nullify God’s love! Because people do not accept Jesus Christ, they will have no excuse when they face eternal judgment. God has given the ultimate gift of love through Jesus Christ, every person has to choose to believe and receive this gift of forgiveness.
Again, Romans 1:20 tells us plainly that no person will have an excuse not to be judged by God! And Romans 3:22 states, This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe! There are no excuses! Either believe in Jesus Christ or be judged!
And now that we have Jesus Christ who completely fulfilled the Law and the Law led ultimately to the Gospel of Christ, what are Christians to do with the Law? God answers this question in v27-31 of Romans 3.
Remember, God always looks at the heart not necessarily what we do externally. We are to do everything by faith in Jesus Christ!
The Jews in that Roman church 2000 years ago were reprimanded for contradicting what they said with their actions; they didn’t walk the talk! Should God be any different in looking at Christian’s hearts?
Again, it can be said that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship, BUT, does our relationship with God match up with what we do? We are to live by faith but faith without action is dead!
Romans 3:31, Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
People will be righteous by faith in Jesus Christ and the righteous will live by faith by following the Law, which is God’s Word!
God calls Christians to be holy by following God’s instructions. Is this really possible?
Turn briefly with me to Romans 7:6…….
God knows best and has empowered every Christian with God the Holy Spirit! Christians are to live in the power of the Holy Spirit! Christians are to live out God’s Law by yielding to the Holy Spirit within them! How does this work? We have discussed these before from other Bible passages. God’s Word does not contradict itself. Are we daily applying crucial biblical principles in our lives?
We yield to God the Holy Spirit when we:
Daily say no to sin and say yes to God. Say to yourself, “God knows best for me, He loves me, and has empowered me with His indwelling!”
And we must daily,
Put on the Full Armor of God! Do you remember the 7 pieces of the armor? We all should know each piece and put on all of them daily!
As Christians, living out God’s Law starts with our decision to say no to sin and yes to God and by putting on the full armor of God! How are we doing? Make a commitment to God and pray for His help.
