God Stays Faithful Even When We Don’t

If you’ve ever been in a situation where someone disappoints you again and again, you’ve probably wondered, “Why do I keep giving them another chance?” Maybe it was a friend, a family member, or even someone on your team at work. You show patience. You offer grace. And eventually, you start to think, “Is this worth it? Should I even keep trusting them?”

And here in Romans 3, Paul is dealing with that exact kind of question, but not about people. It’s about God.

Paul has just spent two chapters demolishing every false foundation people build their spiritual confidence on. In chapter 1, he takes down the rebellious Gentile. In chapter 2, he goes after the moral person. Then the religious person. Then the Jewish person who trusts in circumcision and heritage instead of God.

By the time you get to chapter 3, Paul knows the Jewish believers in Rome are thinking something like:

“Paul… if all our religious identity doesn’t make us right with God, then does being Jewish even matter? Does our history matter? Does the fact that God chose us matter? Does any of this matter anymore?”

Or maybe the question under the question:

“Has God failed us? Has God walked away from His promises?”

And Paul takes that question and gives an answer that’s meant to lift your eyes and strengthen your faith:

Even when people are unfaithful, God remains faithful.

That’s where we’re going today: the faithfulness of God.

A faithfulness deeper than your failures.

Stronger than your doubts.

And more consistent than your obedience.`

1. God Entrusted Israel With His Word — And That Was a Tremendous Privilege (vv. 1–2)

Romans 3:1–2 NKJV

1 What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.

Paul begins with the obvious question:

“What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?”

It’s a great question. Because Paul has just told them that:

The Law can’t save them.

Circumcision doesn’t guarantee anything.

Religious identity doesn’t make them right with God.

So the Jewish listener might be thinking:

“Then what’s the point of being Jewish?”

And Paul says:

“Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God.”

In other words, “Don’t misunderstand me. Being Jewish came with enormous privilege. You were entrusted with the Scriptures.”

The phrase “oracles of God” in Greek is logia—the revealed words and promises of God.

Israel didn’t just have religion.

Israel didn’t just have tradition.

Israel had the very words of God, written down, preserved.

And what Paul is saying is this:

The greatest privilege in your life is access to God’s Word.

Not your house.

Not your job.

Not your savings account.

Not your opportunities.

The greatest privilege you will ever have is that the God of the universe has spoken—clearly, truthfully, lovingly—and you have a Bible in your hands.

Church, we cannot take this lightly.

God’s Word is not a burden—it’s a blessing.

Then in verses 3-4 we see that…

2. Human Unfaithfulness Never Cancels God’s Faithfulness (vv. 3–4)

Romans 3:3–4 NKJV

3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.”

The next question Paul addresses is this:

“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?”

Here’s what they’re really asking:

“Paul… if Israel didn’t believe… if Israel didn’t live up to their calling… if Israel failed God over and over… does that mean God failed too?”

And Paul responds with the strongest possible “No” in the Greek language:

μὴ γένοιτο — “May it never be!”

Absolutely not! God forbid.

Not in a million years!

Human unfaithfulness does not—cannot—cancel God’s faithfulness.

And then Paul quotes King David in Psalm 51:

“That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.”

David failed spectacularly.

But God’s promises stood strong.

David’s sin didn’t make God less faithful—it highlighted His faithfulness even more.

Here’s the truth Paul is hammering home:

God’s faithfulness doesn’t wobble when you do.

God’s promises don’t weaken when you fail.

God doesn’t change based on your performance.

Maybe you grew up in a home where love depended on performance.

Maybe you learned early on that acceptance was earned.

Maybe you’ve walked through seasons where you wondered, “Does God give up on people like me?”

Hear Paul clearly. This is what he’s saying:

God is faithful even when you are not.

When you break your commitment, His commitment to you holds.

When your devotion wavers, His doesn’t.

When you wander, He waits.

Because His character isn’t shaped by our behavior—His character is shaped by His own perfect nature.

Then, verses 5-6…

Romans 3:5–6 NKJV

5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world?

3. God Is Perfectly Just — Even When His Justice Doesn’t Fit Our Logic (vv. 5–6)

This objection Paul raises sounds like what people might be asking:

“If our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?”

And then Paul adds: “I’m speaking as a man. In other words, “I’m using a human argument.”

Let me paraphrase:

“If my sin makes God look good… how can God judge me for it?”

It’s twisted logic—but it’s common logic.

It’s the kind of argument that says:

“Well, God forgives anyway, right?”

“If God’s grace is amazing, why not sin a little more?”

“If God can use my mess for His glory, then my sin must not be a big deal.”

To which Paul says, again:

μὴ γένοιτο — God forbid. No way. Not a chance. Don’t even think it.

Then he says:

“For then how will God judge the world?”

Paul’s point is simple:

If God stopped judging sin because sin sometimes highlights His holiness, then God would not be God.

God’s justice is not optional.

God’s righteousness is not negotiable.

God’s holiness is not flexible.

God judges sin because He is righteous—period.

Not because you understand it.

Not because you agree with it.

Because His character demands it.

Application:

So let’s not turn grace into permission to sin.

God doesn’t change His standards just because we twist our logic.

And finally, verses 7-8

Romans 3:7–8 NKJV

7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.

4. God’s Grace Never Justifies Our Sin — No Matter How Clever the Argument (vv. 7–8)

Here, Paul addresses the most extreme argument:

“If my lie makes God look good, why am I judged as a sinner?”

This is spiritual manipulation.

This is someone trying to spin their sin into a virtue.

Then Paul says some were accusing him of teaching this—

“Paul, you preach so much about grace that people think you’re saying sin doesn’t matter!”

And Paul says:

“Their condemnation is just.”

Meaning:

“That argument condemns itself. It’s wicked. It’s foolish. It reveals where your heart really is.” God is justified in condemning them.

Grace never produces more sin.

Grace produces holiness.

Grace does not excuse sin—it empowers obedience.

Application:

Never use God’s forgiveness to defend your disobedience.

Grace frees you from sin—it doesn’t free you to sin.

Conclusion

So let’s put Paul’s argument together.

He’s shown us that:

God’s Word is a privilege, not a guarantee.

Our unfaithfulness never cancels God’s faithfulness.

God’s justice is good, fair, and necessary.

Grace never excuses sin—it transforms the sinner.

But the heart of the message is this:

God is faithful—even when we are not.

And that’s the foundation Romans is building toward.

Because if God’s faithfulness depended on your behavior, you would lose salvation every other day.

But your hope, your salvation, doesn’t rest on your obedience—it rests on His character.

So when you fail, and you will. When you wander, and you might…

Remember this:

He remains faithful.

Not because you deserve it.

Not because you earned it.

But because that’s who He is.