Romans Part 6

Romans 3:1-8.

This text tonight is a continuation of last weeks text as Paul had spoken with the Jews about internal and external circumcision.

Tonight we see somewhat of a hypothetical dialogue with a would be Jewish person who would disagree with Paul’s statements

Let’s look at chapter 3 beginning in verse 1

The New International Version Chapter 3

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.

Remember last week, we read how Paul was discussing those Jewish people who had been circumcised, but there was no internal change, or circumcision of the heart as Paul called it.

He shared the worthlessness of that persons teachings

however, here he begins to clarify That being Jewish and being circumcised is not rendered meaningless.

If it were, God would not have trusted the Jews with His word

vs. 3

The New International Version Chapter 3

What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak

and prevail when you judge.”

We scramble God’s words so often, it is sad

When a follower of God is unfaithful, that does not mean that God is unfaithful

When bad things happen, that does not mean God is unfaithful

when evil people do evil things, does not mean that God is no longer faithful

We talk so much about God’s plan, we get it confused with thinking that everything that happens is all apart of God’s plan.

God does not cause a murderer to kill any more than the sidewalk caused me to trip, or Taco bell caused me to gain weight.

Rather, the murderer is not faithful to God, therefore, they do evil things.

God knows these things in advance and can give wisdom to those who are faithful to him, to have the right words or actions to help those effected by the murders

And God can bring down His wrath on those who do evil especially in His name

Isaiah 49:6 tells us that the Jews were to be a light for the gentiles

if that light goes out, God’s plan and will is not dead

His faithfulness will succeed in spite of our unfaithfulness.

vs. 5

The New International Version Chapter 3

But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!

There is no doubt that Paul is going through these questions because people are really asking these questions

He has a passion about this because of the probably numerous arguments that have been brought before him about these specific issues.

it may seem crazy, but these are arguments that are still used today

If I sin and God turns it for good, then why should I be punished.

It is the same argument that is used by some to justify Judas.

You know there is an entire group of people out there that believe that Judas turned Christ over because he was faithful and knew the part he had to play to fulfill God’s promise?

The fact is, God knew Judas would turn on him and turn Christ in, He then used that to fulfill God’s plan

If Judas hadn’t turned, they could have found him a different way and done it just the same

it wasn’t because of Judas, it was Because of God

God used Judas’ unrighteousness, but Judas still sinned against God

therefore God’s judgment was certainly owed to him.

The bottom line is this

God’s plan is not determined by us

We have the choice to participate in God’s plan

or live our lives against it.