02-27-2022 - Advantage and Standing = ...

Romans 3:1–20 ESV

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” 5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

**Open in Prayer

Know this: Good Foundations Do Not Guarantee Good Outcomes (3:1-8)

Did Israel Have an Advantage?

Yes - The Oracles of God (His Word/Law)

Oracles - Acts 7:38 - Logion - plural of Logos

Deuteronomy 4:7–9 ESV

7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? 9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children—

Did the Advantage Assure the Outcome would be Righteousness? (Read v. 3) - Unfaithful People do not INVALIDATE the WORD OF GOD

Does Any Failure on the Part of Mankind Impinge on God’s Faithfulness? (Read vv. 4-8)

Recall the Collectives...

The question in v. 8 will arise again in Chapter 6

Paul was falsely accused of teaching that since God gets the glory, People should sin all the more...

Challenge - Today is similar - We have ADVANTAGES in our culture...

Know this: Standing Does not Guarantee Eternal Goodness (3:9-18)

Advantage does not equate to STANDING…

Ecclesiastes 7:20 ESV

20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.

Psalm 14:1–3 ESV

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. 3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.

v. 13 is from Psalm 5:9 and 140:3 - David is speaking of His enemies in comparison to His own walk

v. 14 is from the 10th Psalm which ultimately ascribes God as King over all

v. 15-16 are either from Prov. 1:16 or Isaiah 59:7-8 which is in the midst of the passage that starts, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear, BUT YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE MADE SEPARATION BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR GOD, AND YOUR SINS HAVE HIDDEN HIS FACE FROM YOU SO HE DOES NOT HEAR...

v. 18 is quoted from Psalm 36:1 Where David contrasts the one who succumbs to wickedness to the God of Steadfast love...

Conclusion / Challenge:

romans 3:19-20 “19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”

If you believe that the Law of Moses, or Even the Morality of Christ patterned in your life is How you are Saved… Then… NO. “For by WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED”

The LAW, whether the 10 commandments or that which is naturally learned by those who do not HEAR the Word ILLUMINATES OUR SIN...

KNOW THIS: MORAL CODE and CONDUCT ARE IMPORTANT - BUT THEY WILL NOT SAVE YOU.

THIS BOOK ILLUMINATES AND IDENTIFIES YOUR MORAL FAILINGS, BUT IF ALL YOU EVER DO IS TRY TO LIVE UP TO ITS STANDARD WITHOUT MEETING ITS AUTHOR ON HIS TERMS… YOU WILL FAIL.

IF All you ever do is WORSHIP its genius, or the genesis, its pages, pageantry, poetry and prophecy.. Then remember

THIS is why JESUS SAID “You search the Scriptures because you think that IN THEM you have eternal life; and it is they that BEAR WITNESS OF ME, YET, you refuse to COME TO ME that YOU MAY HAVE LIFE...”

This is Why Paul said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be SAVED...”