Romans, Part 7
Romans 3:1-8
Introduction
- Between chapters 1 and 2, there have been some very interesting thoughts posed
- Paul talks about the willfully ignorant, the self-righteous, and the super religious
- It is in these chapters that he lays the foundation for why we needed a Savior
- But what he has said, actually causes more questions than it answers for us
- So, he begins Chapter 3 by answering questions for those reading his letter
- Paul’s understanding of human nature is fascinating here, so let’s dive in
- Stand and read Romans 3:1-8 / Pray
Point 1 – Is there a racial advantage? (v1-2)
- Paul’s writing in Chapter 2 about being a Jew is concerning to those who read it
-- Paul states that God’s covenant does not exempt anyone from judgment
-- Thus, those who are charged with possession of it; are not exempt from it
- Paul’s answer to them though, is that it matters “much in every way”
-- They have possession of the very knowledge of who God is – but now what?
-- It is true that the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob received the Word
-- They received the promise of God and through them the Scriptures were given
- From their obedience … the message of GRACE is given as an invitation
- It is an invitation that we must not only receive; but be willing to share also
- TRANS: The faithfulness of God is without question here
Point 2 – How Faithful is God? (v3-4)
- Consider if the failure of the Hebrew children means that God fails too?
- Romans 3:4, “Let God be true, and every man a liar.”
- The unbelief of the Jewish people will never prevent God from faithfulness
- He keeps His promises; He is faithful to follow through on everything
- Psalm 51: 1-4, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.”
- Paul is reminding the reader of who we live for; and who we serve – it is GOD
- This quoting of Psalm 51 is the same cry of David’s heart when he sinned
- He was caught in his sin, and he realized that he needed to turn to God
- What Paul is doing is drawing the reader’s attention upward; instead of inward
- TRANS: But in order to do that, we have to honestly ask if we are righteous?
Point 3 – Are we righteous? (v5-6)
- God’s righteousness has always been present; it has always been before us
- This giving of the Law did not all of a sudden make us guilty of wrong-doing
- Compared to the righteousness of God, we could never live up to God’s ways
- Thus, we were given a Law for one purpose and one purpose only
- BIG APP: The Law was given to show us how far we’ve fallen – period!
- It is not a list of rules to follow only, but to show us that we could never do it
- We could never live perfect and sinless – this is why Christ had to die
- This giving of the Law clarified the lines between right and wrong
- It was the first motion in redeeming us which we desperately needed!
- TRANS: Redemption comes at a price (Jesus), but our thinking needs to on Him
Point 4 – Following a Twisted Logic (v7-8)
- This is typical Paul doctrine here and if you think about it, it’s a bit humorous
- Re-read verses 7-8
- Translation? If God’s light shines brighter because of the sin in our lives haven’t we exalted Him more by our wrong thinking? If so … let’s sin like there’s no tomorrow so He can really be praised!
- Is that not the craziest thing you have ever heard? Look at this way:
-- Since car accidents give paramedics more practice in their trade, let’s all drive with blindfolds on and allow them to show their stuff!
- Sin grieves the Lord and sin (whatever sin it is) hurts someone at sometime
- Even if it is not obvious to us right away, there is a consequence to our sin
- What Paul is stressing here is that we must ensure our logic is truth (Rom 3:4)
Conclusion
- When it comes to the truth, we must live a life that follows the truth always
- 1 John 1:5-10, “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
- As Paul closes here he says (v8): If we justify our sinful ways with nonsense logic, our condemnation is just
- To those who question God are condemned because they are blaspheming Him
- Suggesting that God is unfair is not the act of a believer; just the opposite
- We must ensure we are thinking right; giving God the glory to lead and speak
- Pray
