In Search Of Truth, Romans 3:1-8

 

 

 

 

 

In chapter 2, Paul established that having a religious (specifically Jewish) background and knowing scripture well are not enough to gain someone right standing with God. But these are two key elements that singled out the Jews, the people group that God had set aside to serve him and be connected to him in a unique way. So Paul brings up the issue that ma have been on their minds at this point: If being religious and knowing scripture don’t make you right with God, what is so special about being a Jew?(v.1)

 

Paul insist that Jews still have great advantages. First and foremost, they were chosen as the custodians of God’s messages to humanity. (v. 2) Paul also denies the idea that the unfaithfulness of Jews causes God to reject them and take away their special role. (v.3)

 

This kind of reaction from God would be expected if he were like us (as we al too often make him in our minds). But even if every person on earth were demonstrat6ed to be a liar, God should still be recognized as perfectly true to his promises. God is perfectly reliable in what he commits himself to and is perfectly suited to judge us. (v.4 and Psalm 51:4, quoted by Paul here.)

 

Paul knocks down the twisted, man-made idea that God judges us unfairly, since our sin showcases, by contrast, the perfection of God. (v.5-6)

 

This accusation is related to one of the hot topics that the book of Romans helps to address: Humanity’s free will and God’s control of all things (sovereignty).

 

Later, in Romans 8:28, we’ll see that God causes all things to work together for good, to those who love God and are called according to his purpose. A similar idea is expressed here in verses 7-8. God even uses the sins of people to accomplish good. So why does God judge people for their sins?

 

I’m convinced that the only conclusion consistent with all of scripture is that the free will of humanity in some way operates unhindered at the same time as the unhindered sovereignty of God, and we are therefore still completely responsible for our sin, despite the fact that God uses it to accomplish good.

 

On the surface, this may appear to be a contradiction, but this is in no way necessarily true. For a Biblical and very well reasoned examination of this issue, I highly recommend “Beyond The Cosmos”, by Hugh Ross. The author applies higher dimensional physics to our understanding of God and how his will, existing outside the confines of the fourth dimension (time) interacts with our will, which is confined to the fourth dimension.

 

Next Week- Are people “basically good”?

 

Coffee House Question- In the difficult balance between believing equally in your free will and God’s sovereignty, which do you find yourself leaning toward and why do you think that is?