Important Questions

1) What is the benefit of being a Christian now?

Paul was anticipating the Jewish converts, who were the religious types in the church, asking “if non-Jews are brought into the family of God by faith, what benefit is it for me growing up a Jew and following Jewish law all this time? They lived how they wanted and are just welcomed right in.”

You may be here or will one day be here.

You go to church, study the bible, try to follow the bible and live out your faith, but someone who hasn’t done anything of those things comes to faith and it is some big celebration.

What is the benefit of being a Christian now when I could be doing the things they are doing?

Paul’s answer “they were entrusted with the very words of God.”

Coming from someone who didn’t come to Christ until I was 18, there is a deep significance to growing up as a teenage knowing the Word of God and being around others who are serious about following Jesus.

It is tempting to look at the lives of others around us or on social media and think “that looks fun” or to feel like we are missing out on something.

But the bible is like the Dr who uncovers a cancer eating away at a part of your body.

It might not seem like anything is wrong, but the longer we go without knowing, the more damage is being done.

The Word of God reveals truth and leads us to true freedom in Christ, not bondage to sin.

2) Have a messed up too much?

Paul’s next question he anticipates them asking is “is God saving the non-Jews because we screwed up too bad.”

There is a feeling in Church circles some times that we can mess up, we can’t struggle with doubt, we have to put on a good face or we might not measure up to God’s love.

Paul’s answer “of course not!”

God is faithful to ALL His promises.

1 John 1:8–10 CSB

8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Jews Paul is writing to are promised the same salvation, the same forgiveness of any gentile believer.

You haven’t messed up beyond God’s ability and willingness to forgive you and to cleanse you.

3) Should I sin more so God look better?

The last question is the result of the second question, and Paul talks about this question a few times in the book of Romans.

“If I make God’s grace look good when I sin, should I keep sinning so that God looks better?”

God looks better when really lost people come to Him.

In that question is this, under the radar, question: “Is my story too lame?”

Every story of conversion is a dramatic telling of God’s kindness.

When our focus is on his kindness, each story becomes a wild testimony of extravagant grace.

God was kind to give you family members or friends that brought you to church and/or talked to you about the Lord.

God was kind to give you opportunities to hear about His love

God was kind to reveal truth and righteousness to you.

God was kind to keep you from sin.

Fight the Impulse to be Ashamed

Don’t be ashamed of Christ

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

If you grew up in Church or are still figuring things out, don’t be ashamed.

You will be faced with temptations to doubt, to question, and to turn away, but let the kindness of God be the thing that keeps you.