Romans 3:5-8

Romans 3:5-8             

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello. This is doctor Bill Branks, author of Love The Word. Our text for today is Romans three verses five to eight. But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? I speak in a human way. By no means. For then how could God judge the world? But if through my light God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not do evil that good may come, as some people slanderously charge us with saying? Their condemnation is just. Your assignment for today, compare and contrast the words compare and contrast. Go ahead, I'll wait, okay, time's up. It's actually pretty easy to tell the difference, but if compare means to show similarities and contrast means to show differences, aren't you, by default, contrasting as you compare? Anything not included in the compare list is a contrast, right? If you're choosing between two cars, two homes, or dinner entrees, comparing and contrasting can take time but helps in making the right purchase. When my wife and I moved two years ago, we looked at many homes, and each time we found a new one, we would spend the evening comparing and contrasting. It's a great way to identify the best features. In real estate, less desirable homes serve a purpose by making more expensive homes look better. You might say it's beneficial to have neglected homes around for the good of the market. We could even go so far as to suggest that realtors intentionally create shabby homes to make newer ones appear better. Comparing and contrasting would be simple, just by the shiny new ones. Sound ridiculous? Yes, but those Paul is contending with may have held similar views. If unrighteousness shines a brighter light on God's righteousness, aren't we helping God by sinning? If that is the case, how could God judge us for being unrighteous when it brings glory to him? Absurd. Paul takes it a step further and asks, if I'm lying and God is glorified, why should I be condemned? Finally, Paul, based on their argument, asks an outrageous question, why not do evil so that good may come? As preposterous as this sounds, some wrongly inferred from Paul's where sin abounds, grace abounds even more position that Paul was suggesting doing evil so that good could come from it. Paul was under attack. He has been teaching that all men are guilty with Jews, Greeks, everyone. No culture or status can save you, no tradition, good works, or bloodline either. All are guilty, all are condemned. There is no hope without the gospel. When you compare the utter ruin of man to the truth and grace of God, you'll find only one similarity, they are both absolutes. Christ's blood, forgiveness, and grace cover all sin. We cannot outsend God's grace. We must know this to have hope, not to use it as an excuse to go on sinning. God does not need our unrighteousness to magnify Himself. He hates sin. He died to obliterate it. And for those who suggest there is good and evil, they are warned, their condemnation is just. We must run from sin, not find ways to live with it. The grace of God is a rescue from sin, not a salve that helps us live with it. When you think about your wavering faith and ongoing sins, are you content to live with them and the occasional struggle in your heart, or are you prepared to make it a battle? It will be God's abundant grace that flows freely through you as long as you keep fighting. Start the battle today, and give God the glory for your victory tomorrow.