GOD'S JUDGMENT IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST
Romans 3:1-8
QUESTION #1: After just being told that circumcision in the flesh is of no value if the heart is not circumcised as well, the Jew may raise some questions. Paul is asking these questions on the Jew’s behalf and proceeding to answer them throughout the letter. This first question basically says “Is there then no benefit to being a Jew?” Paul says, “of course there is a benefit but if you miss Jesus you have missed it all.”
WHAT ADVANTAGE HAS THE JEW? AND WHAT IS THE BENEFIT OF CIRCUMCISION?
Answer: Great in every respect.
Oracles of God
A. Acts 7:38 “and he (Moses) received living oracles to pass on to you”
B. Hebrews 5:12 “you have need of someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God.”
C. 1 Peter 4:11 “If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God”
Circumcision
A. It was a sign in the flesh of the covenant (Genesis 17:11)
B. It was a seal of the righteousness which is by faith (Romans 4:11)
C. Without the circumcision of the heart it was nothing (Romans 2:25-29).
Romans 9:4-5 lists some other advantages and blessings.
QUESTION #2: In response to the first question’s answer the Jew may object saying “if the Jew was promised blessings and benefits and then was unbelieving that is not going to make God unfaithful to His promises will it?” If God does not fulfill His promises because we didn’t believe than God is being unfaithful just like we were. The Jew may be unfaithful but God is always faithful to His promises.
WHAT IF SOME DID NOT BELIEVE? WILL THEIR UNBELIEF NULLIFY THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD?
Answer: May it never be!
If God makes a promise and people miss out because of unbelief and the pursuit of wickedness, it does not make God unfaithful but rather they were unfaithful.
The weakness is not in the oracles of God nor is it in His covenant but in the flesh (Romans 8:3).
The law is holy, righteous, and good (Romans 7:12).
God’s promises always hinge on faith (Romans 4:20-21).
A. Unbelief is never acceptable but is sin (John 16:8-9)
B. Unbelief is condemned (Romans 11:19-24). God did send the Messiah (promised Seed) but if the Jews rejected Him that is their fault. In that case they are broken off because of their unbelief were as those who stand will stand by their faith. The promises of God are conditional upon the recipient’s belief.
It is we who are in question not God for He IS “Faithful”
A. Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
B. Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; a God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He.”
C. 1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
D. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass”
E. 1 Peter 4:19 “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right”
F. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
G. Revelation 3:14 “…The Amen, the faithful and true Witness…”
David describes this in his psalm of repentance
A. Psalm 51:4 “That You may be justified in Your words and prevail when You judge”
B. Let God be found true though every man a liar!
QUESTION #3: The Jew responds once more saying “so if my sin makes known God’s righteousness, they why is my sin wrong?” “If sin wasn’t wrong,” Paul responds, “then God’s wrath would be unrighteous. But we know that His judgment is right and one day He will judge the world.”
“So if through my sin God is glorified than why am I judged?” This is another way of saying “Doesn’t the end (God’s glory) justify the means (my sin)?”
IF OUR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS DEMONSTRATES THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD AND IF GOD GETS THE GLORY, WHY AM I ALSO STILL BEING JUDGED AS A SINNER?
Answer: Because you are unrighteous and all your deeds are unrighteous and you need a righteousness from God which is offered through faith in Christ Jesus and you rejected Him!
God’s Judgment
A. God is completely just and right, by inflicting wrath on the unrighteous because not only are they unrighteous but they refuse righteousness.
B. There are many unrighteous acts through which God turns around for good. This does not mean that the unrighteous act then is righteous but rather God is righteous.
C. In righteousness and justice “upon those who practice such things” (2:2). “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (1:18).
D. Even though God can turn it around for good and remit those sins, the man who continues in unrighteousness will have the wrath of God upon him. Particularly, those who continue in unbelief will be condemned.
God’s Righteousness
A. The righteousness of God is seen in the cross and the imputation of that righteousness is through faith. This is why He is the just and justifier (3:26).
B. Even though through sin, rather the forgiveness of sin, God’s righteousness is revealed, that doesn’t mean that sin then is approved. The nature of sin is detestable and will never be pleasing unto God.
Let Us Do Evil That Good May Come. This ridiculous statement is practiced all too much. Sin is never acceptable. Rightly Paul says of those who teach this: “There condemnation is just”