God's Righteousness and Faithfulness

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

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.

Prayer: Father God thank you for another opportunity to gather at Dream Church. Holy spirit teach us today, speak to our hearts so we can experience gospel transformation in our lives that will cause us to demonstrate our love to our neighbors and the communities we live in. In Jesus Name Amen!

Paul continues this letter (3:1-8) to the Church at Rome

Where we will continue to discover the revelation of God’s judging and saving righteousness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will continue to learn that God judges' sin and at the same time manifest his saving mercy.

Paul is very explicit sharing this to the church of Rome, what he knows, seen, and heard concerning the people of God and of this world

• We have defined that, God's wrath is not a reckless rage, an uncontrollable anger, a senseless fury, or an unjust vengeance. The wrath of God is a precise and controlled response to the belittling of his holiness. Everyone who perishes under the wrath of God in eternity will not be because God lost his temper with them and mistreated them.

• We defined that, Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright".

• A person is righteous coram deo, that is, he is in a right relationship with God, when he simply receives the imputed obedience of Christ and the forgiveness of sins through faith. ... A human person is not righteous in God's eyes because of his choice or commitment, his good works or his piety, his emotions or intellect. He is righteous because of the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus.

  Paul continues in chapter 3 where he left off: Stating... “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”

  Paul in todays text ask 9 objective questions to the church, that sends them down a path of righteous reminders and holy boundaries. Producing righteous living in and out of the church. Paul starts with question number 1 in verse 1:

  1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

  Point 1: You have the words of God to.

  Paul ask the church what advantage and value do you have... His answer is “Much in every way” starting with the Jews who was chosen by God and made a promise. But as Moses led them out of Egypt to the promise land God gave them instructions, laws that they would live by namely the Ten Commandments leading to more words from God through his prophets that was spoken and written for them and us to live upright before God. But God knew that we would not be able to live up to the standards because of the sin that is prevelent in our nature so he sent his only son to die for our sins that would allow us to live eternally with our father, God the Father.

  Let me ask you the same question, what advantage do you have? What value do you have with a spiritual circumcised heart?

  You have the words of God to, enabling you to live in complete obedience towards God, and live a righteous life in the world today.

3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written,

“That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

Point 2: God is faithful, and He does not lie.

Paul asked objective questions 3 and 4 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? Paul response was, By no means... in my words absolutly not! God is faithful and He doesn’t lie. Ps.145:13 “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.”

The Jews were unfaithful then... so Paul had to lean into the character of God. (Excuse me I object!) Because He’s righteous he is faithful, and whatever God speaks he will do it! God calls us to a life of obedience. God does not lie.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”

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?

Point 3: By no means, the righteousness of God is not defined or driven by human actions.

Paul was echoing the thoughts of the church and the people of Rome but he lands on this gospel apologetic by stating by no means... how can God judge the world? Its thoughts like this that spirals people into the abyss of sin a never ending story... But because of his righteouness and holiness we are called to be judged and revealed on the day of judgement. God empowers us to live a righteous and fruitful live now and forever more.

What is mans chief end? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever!

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.

Point 4: Your pursuit of righteous living displays the truth of God and testifies to give God Glory

It’s the righteousness of God that causes us to live in the truth opposing the lies and false doctrine that plagues the church then and even now... It is us who should reflect the truth which is found in Christ alone. Your life should testify and be a testement unto the glory of God!

Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.