The Glory of God's Righteousness | Romans 3:1–8

God is faithful because he punishes those who reject the gospel

God faithfully visits judgment upon the disobedience of sinners.

There are some who will question the goodness and righteousness of God who punishes sinners.

2 Timothy 2:11–13 ESV

The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.

Chrysostom ‘What does the word justified mean? It means that if there were a trial and an examination of the things which God had done for the Jews and also of what they had done to him, the victory would be with God, and all the right would be on his side’.

John 3:31–36 ESV

He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Our Unrighteousness displays God's Righteousness (vv. 4-6)

Paul notes that Our unrighteousness serves to be a backdrop against which God’s righteousness is displayed.

Psalm 145:20 ESV

The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

Our Falsehood displays God's Glorious Truthfulness (vv. 7-8)

We are masters at deception as humans.

Proverbs 30:20 ESV

This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”

We deceive ourselves into believing our way of perceiving God is right, regardless of what God’s Word says.

2 Timothy 4:3 ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

We convince ourselves that we are Christians when we are not:

1 John 1:6 ESV

If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 2:4 ESV

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,

1 John 3:10 ESV

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

We are self deceivers, and thus we see God’s glorious judgment, and righteousness we recoil. We say its not fair.

Yet, God’s truthfulness is displayed against our dishonesty.

Galatians 5:7–10 ESV

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

God is faithful because he saves those who repent and put their faith in the gospel

Psalm 51:4 is quoted by Paul in this passage and gives us a beautiful backdrop of God’s grace.

In this passage, the Psalmist, David is repenting before God.

And in this passage he speaks of his sin

Psalm 51:4 ESV

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

and he repents

Psalm 51:7–12 ESV

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

We are called, all of us to repent of sin when we recognize the beauty and glory of God in the word of God.

2 Corinthians 7:10–11 ESV

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.