Good morning,
Romans 3 tells God’s plan for the salvation of mankind. The problem is all have sinned and need redemption. The solution is Jesus Christ’s blood sacrifice to pay man’s sin debt.
First though, God speaks to the Jews through the Apostle Paul. The Jew had an advantage because they were given “…the oracles of God.” They had the opportunity to know God’s plan, promise, and covenants. They also were aware of the blessings and curses for obedience and disobedience. They really believed that because they were Jews they were above the judgment of God. They were wrong.
Romans 3:1-8
God’s special blessing to the Jews (1-8)
Three questions
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
“Romans 3:1–8 contains a series of questions which might have come from someone opposed to Paul’s teaching in Romans 2. Using this challenge-response structure, Paul clarifies that being Jewish and circumcised still comes with great advantages. He also points out that God remains faithful to the Jewish people in spite of their sin. In fact, His faithfulness in the face of unfaithfulness increases His glory. That does not mean, however, that God wants human beings to continue to sin, as some were accusing Paul of teaching.” (BibleRef.com)
It is one thing to know the Word of God and quite another to act upon what you know. As Israel failed to act on what God had revealed to them, Christians, in good Bible believing church’s, are ignoring the clear revealed will of God. Unbelievers see no difference in the believers’ lives than in their own. So, they ask “Why do we need to become a Christians?”
Obeying God’s word is critical to the furtherance of the gospel outreach and salvation of lost souls.
OBEY and be part of God’s solution.
Romans 3:9-20
THE PROBLEM: All are sinners (9-20)
9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
“Romans 3:9–20 contains a string of quotes from the Old Testament Scriptures. Paul uses these to demonstrate that both Jews and Greeks alike are under sin. After establishing that ”there is none who does good” from Psalm 14:1, Paul uses quotes from Psalms and Isaiah to show ways we have always used our bodies—throats, tongues, lips, feet, and eyes—to express our sinfulness. He concludes the section with his strongest statement, yet, that no human being will be justified in God’s sight by following the works of the law. The law can only show us our sin, not save us from it.” (BibleRef.com)
Remember earlier God said He was no respecter of persons. That point is made clear in relationship to sin. All are under sin, none are righteous, none that understands, none that seeks God, none that does good.
Sin separates us from God. If man’s sin is not dealt with, he will be eternally separated from God. Some may not see this as a problem until they understand what that entails.
Hell is the abode of those who will not deal with their sin and turn to God. Hell is described as “torments”, “tormented in this flame” (Luke 16:19-31), “lake of fire and brimstone”, “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:7-10).
Revelation 20:11-15 refers to these people as dead. Judgment day has come and those who chose not to repent of their sins stand before God. When the book of life was opened their names did not appear. The consequence is “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
That is where those who choose not to deal with their sin go.
HOWEVER, there is a solution to the problem of sin.
Romans 3:21-31
THE SOLUTION: Faith in Jesus Christ
Justification by faith (21)
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
The law is established by Christ’s righteousness (22-31)
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
“Romans 3:21–31 finally introduces the ”good news” part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Up to this point, Paul has shown that even following the law cannot spare us from being judged by God for our sin. Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God’s sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God’s grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. This is truly good news!” (BibleRef.com)
Those who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will spend eternity with Jesus in Heaven. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
The abode of believers in Jesus is Heaven. Revelation 21 describes it. Revelation 21:27 states that the names of these people are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. “
We now have a clear choice, heaven or hell. Peace or torment. Cool refreshing water or fire.
CHOOSE LIFE!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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