Romans

Thursday, 28 February 2013

And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8

“And why not say” is Paul’s conclusion to the previous concepts which he has laid before his readers. Is God’s faithfulness nullified by the unfaithfulness of man? Does man’s unrighteousness demonstrate the righteousness of God? Is the truth of God is increased through my lie to His glory? Each question and its answer has led Paul to say that if the answers are “yes” then we might as well say “let us do evil that good may come.”

This line of argumentation is known as reductio ad absurdum or “reduction to absurdity.” If God is somehow positively affected by whatever evil man does, then let us take the most evil course of all. The idea is that when we commit temporal evil the result will be the greater good of glorifying God. If so, then no matter what we do the outcome justifies the means.

Unfortunately, this means that stealing would not only be acceptable, but a good thing. Personal property would have no value. Murder would magnify God and therefore it would be the right course of action in any circumstance. Adultery would then be a noble thing. Getting married would simply be a step towards many partners – all to bring about a better purpose. For every sin we commit, the glory of God would shine forth all the more brightly.

The absurdity of such thoughts is self-evident, but such is the confused state of the unclear thinker. They only see the results of the first half of their argument, but they have fail to think the entire scenario through. As evident as it is, this is the state which the world is rapidly heading. As one-line arguments fill the cyber-world of Facebook and Twitter, our ability to reason out important issues is diminishing.

As Paul saw in his own time, those around him misunderstood, either unintentionally or intentionally, his comments about the grace of God and reported that Paul had actually affirmed that this was what Christianity held. But he, noting that God’s grace is magnified through the repentant sinner, never went to such extremes. For every note of how gracious God is, there is a note of warning that those who call on Jesus need to abstain from willful sin. Grace, to Paul and the other apostles, never meant a license to commit iniquity.

The Christian world of today though is turning away from the truth of the Bible and is actually following the absurd course Paul lays out. Homosexuals preach from the pulpit. Perversion of all sorts is openly condoned by the church and yet to them the grace of God is expected to cover such unrepentant actions. As Paul says, when this attitude is seen “their condemnation is just.” God will judge and condemn those who hold to such flawed views. They failed to use the brains He gave them and their actions will result in an eternal swim in the Lake of Fire. Let us heed the Proverb –

The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him. (18:17)

Life application: An argument which sounds fine on the surface, such as allowing abortion for rape or incest is found false when it is completely thought through. However, most people hear the initial argument and stop with that, agreeing that the murder of the unborn is somehow just. When you are presented with an argument, make sure to think its consequences through to the end. When you do, you may find that what originally seemed as right as rain is actually as twisted as a tornado.

Lord God, You have created me to be a rational, moral being. Help me to think issues of importance through clearly and to understand the ramifications of those things which could separate me from You when a wrong path is taken. May my life be a testimony to Your grace, but may I never assume that it gives me license to sin. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 February 2013

For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? Romans 3:7

A third line of reasoning based on man’s unclear thinking is given. “For” looks back to the previous two examples. Paul is making his case by citing arguments people either had or could give to justify both their sin and why God should overlook it.

“If the truth of God has increased through my lie…” God, throughout His word as well as through the moral compass he has placed within man, lets us know that sin will be punished. In punishing sin, God is shown to be the holy Being that He is. His punishment of our sin because of His holiness demonstrates that He is truthful in His judgments; He says He will punish and then He follows through with it. This validates the truth of God to us and thus brings Him glory.

As this is true and God is proven truthful and glorified through my lying, then how can He punish me? I have only increased His glory… see the great thing I have done! This is the faulty reasoning of the one attempting to justify his perverse actions.

There are several points which have to be considered in this. The first is that the lying is actually intended to do the opposite of what is claimed here. Lying, in and of itself, is intended to protect and elevate self, not God. When one lies, it is motivated by and promotes self-serving interests, not another’s glory.

Secondly, if “the truth of God is increased through my lie to His glory” because He has promised to judge sin, then if He doesn’t judge my sin, the result would be that the truth of God isn’t increased through my lie at all! The question, “Why am I also still judged as a sinner” is invalidated by the faulty premise of the question in the first place.

Finally, God doesn’t need man to be glorified. He is glorious in and of Himself. The “glory” which is reasoned by the one proposing the argument is the glory of God in the eyes of His creation, not God’s innate glory. Likewise, the truth of God isn’t “increased” in God – God is truth. Rather the increase is found in our realization of it. Again, God’s character isn’t dependent on man and He isn’t dependent on what we think about Him. Our perceptions of Him don’t change His truth or His glory.

The answer to, “Why am I still judged as a sinner?” is found in the fact that I am a sinner and I am deserving of punishment based on my sin. To attempt to justify sin by using faulty reasoning can only added to my judgment, not somehow fool God into throwing up His hands and overlooking my misdeeds.

Life application: There is no excuse for sin and all sin will be dealt with through punishment. As you go about your day, don’t try to rationalize away your wrongdoings. Once you have accepted that sin necessitates a penalty, then take the time to give God praise for what He has done for you in Jesus. The cross of Calvary was a high price for the sins we so easily dismiss.

Heavenly Father, when I realize that You have no need for me in order for you to be glorified, then it makes it all the more incredible that You were willing to send Jesus to save me. I stand in utter amazement at the price that was paid for my willful disobedience committed in Your presence. Thank You, O God, for Jesus. Amen.

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? Romans 3:6

This verse is in response to the question Paul raised, “But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?”

A resounding reply results – “Certainly not!” By no means could God be unjust. Paul doesn’t even address “why” though. He takes it as an axiom that God will, in fact, judge the world. Sin doesn’t determine God’s righteousness. Rather how He deals with it does. Sin is a violation of His holiness. Therefore, dealing with the sin is something that must occur.

As the Creator, everything about God simply is. Because He created time, He is outside of time and thus there is no change in Him. As this is so, God is perfectly righteous – His righteousness is. Any violation of it must be judged – or He is not perfectly righteous. But He is and therefore His righteousness cannot be compromised.

Similarly, God is perfectly just. Because He is, the penalty for a violation of His righteousness must be perfect. The law demands that every violation be punished and “the wages of sin is death.” There is no way around this. We have earned death and we have earned condemnation. If we do not receive this, then God is not perfectly just, but He is.

God is also perfectly holy. Because we are made unclean from our transgressions against His perfectly holy nature, we must be eternally separated from Him – or He is not perfectly Holy, but He is. If a person only committed one moral transgression in his entire life, it is sufficient to eternally separate him from God. God cannot accept 1% unrighteousness. He does not weigh sins on a balance. Nothing but absolute righteousness and pure holiness can be accepted by God.

Adding to the problem is that God is absolutely truthful. He has spoken from His very nature what is and what is not acceptable for man. If God overlooks the words He spoke in absolute truth, then He is not truthful – an impossibility. However, God has promised to redeem His people. Because He has spoken, then it must be so, or He is not truthful – this is impossible.

On the other side of this is God’s mercy; He is absolutely merciful. However, if in His mercy, He overlooks our transgressions, then He violates His righteousness – it would be ridiculous to even consider. Further, God is perfectly gracious and longs to participate in fellowship with His people, bestowing infinite grace upon them. However, because He is perfectly Holy, this cannot occur with sinful man or He is not perfectly Holy; this is impossible.

And finally, God is also love. God loves each person perfectly, but He cannot fellowship with His beloved creatures because of their sins. If He were to do so, He would violate His just, righteous, and holy character. This is also impossible.

This leaves a tension between these characteristics of God and man who has sinned. More terrifying is that Adam sinned and his fallen nature is transferred to his descendants. We cannot go back in time before the sins we’ve committed, nor can we go back before Adam’s sin. Time is moving forward and it is the medium in which we live and interact with God. The separation is complete; God’s holiness has been violated; and there is nothing we can do – judgment must come. This is the certainty of the matter. Therefore, though our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, it in no way negates the judgment which must result.

Life Application: All sin must be judged. However, God in His wisdom and mercy has allowed the sin of man to be judged in a perfect Substitute. By judging sin in this way the tension between God’s eternal attributes ends. God’s perfect righteousness required a sacrifice for payment of our sins. His perfect holiness demanded that no iniquity could be found in that Substitute. His perfect justice says that no unrighteousness can come into His presence, but a perfect payment restores felicity when offered by Him and accepted by man. His perfect grace is demonstrated in the Gift which we don’t deserve. His perfect mercy is revealed in not condemning us as we deserve; His wrath was instead placed on His own precious Son. His perfect truthfulness is upheld in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, by which every promise in every covenant to man is fulfilled in Him. And His perfect love is demonstrated in the giving of His own Son on our behalf. Take time today to think through the enormity of what transpired at the cross of Calvary.

Lord God, what You have done in Jesus is simply beyond my comprehension. I fail to grasp the magnitude of the perfection of Christ. I know that for all eternity I will look to the cross of my Lord and stand in wonder at the immensity of what occurred there. Praises belong to You, O God. Amen.

Monday, 25 February 2013

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.)  Romans 3:5

Today’s verse is going to take several more verses to fully comprehend. Paul says, “But if our unrighteousness…” This is the sin of man in general, and more to the point the Jew who he has been speaking about in detail. The Jew has been given the law and yet they have been unrighteous before the law in many ways. They have neglected it; they have used it as a point of pride when comparing themselves to other “sinners;” they have willfully disobeyed it; and they have missed its spiritual meaning and application because they rejected Jesus who is the fulfillment of it.

This “unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God” though. The law is his standard and it shows His very nature. In other words, this isn’t just speaking of His righteousness toward man, but His innate righteousness. The first is the result of the latter, not the other way around. The sins we commit are a violation of His moral purity and they therefore demonstrate His perfect righteousness – He is the ultimate standard by which things are judged and His glory is seen more clearly when the sinner is compared to Him.

Imagine the purest diamond in the world. If there was nothing to compare the diamond to, then one wouldn’t know how exquisite it truly was. However, when other stones of varying materials, quality, luster, etc. are placed next to it, the true majesty of this “stone of stones” is seen for what it is. The law which reflects God’s righteousness is like the diamond and our transgression of the law is like the flawed stones.

So Paul now asks, because the greatness and majesty of God are seen more clearly because of our imperfections, then isn’t “God unjust who inflicts wrath?” How can God judge us when He is shown more glorious through our sin. Doesn’t our sin have a good purpose and doesn’t our sin negate His right to judge us?

This is the question of the impenitent sinner. This is the question of the unreasoning animal. This is the question of the one who fails to contemplate the splendor of the Creator. Such a question reveals a lack of dignity for self and a lack of respect for God. As Paul says, “I speak as a man.” His words are intended to reflect fallen Adam; the unspiritual, carnal man.

Life application: How do you perceive sin? If you believe that your sin, which demonstrates the righteousness of God, is excusable because God is shown holy through it then you have failed to take in the whole picture. Take a look today at the things you don’t like in others, things that upset you. Then consider that you are comparing these things against… you. Now imagine your sin placed next to the Creator who is infinitely more pure than you. How should He respond?

Lord, though you are shown holy through my sin, may I never assume that my sin is somehow excusable because of it. Instead, let me see it for what it is, a violation of an ultimate standard and which therefore necessitates an ultimate punishment. I realize how great Your mercy is toward me when I think it through! Thank You for Jesus who took what I deserve. Amen.

Sunday, 24 February 2013

Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written:
“That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged.” Romans 3:4

This verse is in response to 3:3 – “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?” The answer rings forth clearly – “Certainly not!” Others translate this as “God forbid,” “Of course not,” “Not at all,” “May it never be,” “Absolutely not,” “That would be unthinkable,” “By no means,” “No indeed,” etc. It is an expression that translators seem to enjoy trying finding a new and exciting yet clear and acceptable translation just to be unique. The term in Greek is me genoito. Albert Barnes says it is telling us to “let not this by any means be supposed.”

Instead of us supposing that God’s faithfulness is tied to man’s actions, we are to hold fast to the conviction that He is a perfect and unchanging Being and therefore that which is found in Him is absolute truth. As this is so, all that is true stems from Him and there is nothing untrue which can be attributed to Him. Because of this, even if every Israelite was unfaithful, it would have absolutely no bearing on whether He was faithful or not. In a judicial proceeding, His innocence would stand while the all others would receive a guilty verdict.

To substantiate this, Paul returns to Scripture – the law itself – and states, “As it is written.” The Greek is gegraptai and it carries the weight of saying “this was written then and it still stands today.” God’s word is fixed, firm, and unchanging. What it states stands forever. What Paul cites is from the 51st Psalm –

For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:3, 4

This amazingly emotional Psalm was written by David after he was confronted by God’s prophet Nathan. David had committed adultery with a married woman and subsequently murdered her husband. He acknowledged that his faithlessness in no way compromised God’s righteousness. And this is true even though he was not only an Israelite, but God’s anointed King of Israel. The sin that David committed was against God and only God. Because of this, God is found both just and blameless in the presence of David’s unrighteousness. If this is so with David, Israel’s King, then it must be so with all people.

Returning to Albert Barnes, He sums up what we should learn from this – “How happy would it be, if all people would regard this as a fixed principle, a matter not to be questioned in their hearts, or debated about, that God is true to his word! How much doubt and anxiety would it save professing Christians; and how much error would it save among sinners! Amidst all the agitations of the world, all conflicts, debates, and trials, it would be a fixed position where every man might find rest, and which would do more than all other things to allay the tempests and smooth the agitated waves of human life.”

Life application: God is absolute truth and therefore, when He judges it is done in a morally perfect way. When tragedy comes our way, we have absolutely no right to place the blame on God. Let us be careful to never question His goodness, truth, or wisdom in how He conducts the affairs of the world, but let us rest in the fact that He will bring all things again to a state of goodness and perfection for those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Lord God, it is in my nature to question why bad things occur and the wisdom of the judgments I see around me – earthquakes, famines, plagues, and the like. But in the end, these are not the result of vindictiveness. Rather, they occur because You are just and right in Your judgments. Help me always to remember this and to trust that You have it all under control. Amen.