by Audrey Bauman

Today’s verses are the last excuses made by the Jewish community about why sin shouldn’t be an issue. Tomorrow we’ll look at the summary that Paul makes of the first three chapters – his conclusion about sin. This topic seems to go on and on, but Paul wants to make sure we understand the seriousness of our situation before God, before he goes on to explain how amazing God is.

Romans 3: 1 – 8   (NLT)

“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.

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.”  (reference to Psalm 51:4)

⁵ 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!”

This is the last argument by the religious Jewish community. Basically they are saying there must be some advantage to being part of God’s chosen people/nation. Paul agrees there is an advantage – they know who God is and what He expects.  But that doesn’t mean they are without sin, or can expect God to overlook their failings.   In desperation, they argue back that when people see their sin, they become more aware of how wonderful and holy God is.  So God should be happy that He looks more wonderful because they aren’t so great. When Paul says, “I am using a human argument”, in our modern day slang, he is really saying, “Come on now; get real! How stupid can you be?”  

In verse 8, Paul mentions that the people who came up with the argument in those verses, come up with a ‘last ditch attempt’ They’ve heard Paul preach, and they say, “Aha, Paul. You have told us that God forgives sin, is full of grace and mercy, and that believing in Jesus is all you have to do.   That means you can do all the wrong things you want, because that just shows how forgiving God is”.  Paul calls that slander.  That is not what Christianity is all about.  That doesn’t support their idea that their sinful nature only shows God’s holiness better.

Those verses again reinforce the idea that having a good religious background doesn’t guarantee salvation.  I was raised in a home where my parents took their faith seriously, and our family was really involved in our local church.  I was blessed to have been taught by a pastor who was an amazing Bible scholar and teacher, and I also had a Sunday School teacher during my teens who challenged us and taught us so well.  When I went to university, I questioned my faith, wondering if I’d been brain-washed.  But I couldn’t escape the intelligence and the lives of Christians who put what they knew into practice.  Did all that ensure my salvation?  Did that make me any better than someone who was raised in a non-churchgoing family? Absolutely not!  It only makes me more responsible to God for what I know.

I think it also warns us that we can’t count on our family background or joining a church.  We don’t live up to God’s standards, and there is nothing we can do on our own to change that.   Our relationship with God is a personal one, not just a membership in a religious community.  I think Paul would ask you to look at your own life.  Do you know God personally, or do you think your connections to Christians are good enough?

Our song for today is The Way by Pat Barrett.