Romans 3: Sin and Faith
Are we all good? Yes, we are in our own eyes. We have our check list of things Christians
do: pray, follow the laws in the Bible, tithe, go to church, and the list of
laws continue. This is what Paul is
addressing with the Jews in Rome. Their
ancestry does not give them salvation nor does living righteously. He has already told them that salvation comes
with faith in chapter one verses 5, 16, and 17.
It is not the righteous attempt of living Biblically that justifies
salvation, but it “is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter;
whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (2:29) Salvation comes “by the law of faith”
concluding “that a man is justified by faith.” (3:27, 28)
The message is clear. All of us are sinners. The do list of Christian things to do will not save us. Paul makes it clear that we are “justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Should we obey the law? Yes, we should strive to live Biblically, because “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (20) and as Christians “we establish the Law.” (31)
Ref: NASB
Paul backs up this claim with “As it is
written.” (3:10) Since the Jews live by
the law, he quotes the law. Romans
3:10-18
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” (Ps 14:1-3)
“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING.” (Ps 5:9)
“The POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS;” (Ps 140:3)
“WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS;” (Ps 10:7)
“THEIR FEET ARE SWITH TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” (Is 59:7)
“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” (Ps 36:1)
“Because by the works
of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes
the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3:20, Ps 143:2)
Paul concludes, “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of
Jesus Christ unto all and for all them that believe: for there is no difference. For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God. Being justified freely by
his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God had set
forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his
righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of
God.” (3: 22-25)THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” (Ps 14:1-3)
“THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING.” (Ps 5:9)
“The POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS;” (Ps 140:3)
“WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS;” (Ps 10:7)
“THEIR FEET ARE SWITH TO SHED BLOOD, DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR PATHS, AND THE PATH OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” (Is 59:7)
“THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” (Ps 36:1)
The message is clear. All of us are sinners. The do list of Christian things to do will not save us. Paul makes it clear that we are “justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Should we obey the law? Yes, we should strive to live Biblically, because “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin” (20) and as Christians “we establish the Law.” (31)
Ref: NASB
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