Here is where one of the great faith discussions of the Bible begins. For Paul, faith can only begin where faithfulness has meaning - with God. God is faithful. If we had ever wanted a better understanding about faith, then it starts with God who is always faithful to carry out His promises. So how is God faithful?
What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? Romans 3:3 (NIV)Paul's premise is that my lack of faith can never change God's faithfulness. The catch here is that God is always faithful to save but also always faithful to His commitment to judge. The awesome part here is that His grace is a far greater remedy towards restoring relationship with Him than His will for judgment. He moves to save yet will not compromise on righteousness, which for us can only be achieved through Jesus Christ.
Paul mentions two human arguments emerging in the faith debate of the time.
First, Is God unjust since His righteousness is seen more clearly through our unrighteousness? No. Our unwillingness to embrace the righteousness of God is enough to confirm our guilt. Our refusal to accept His grace and the outline for accepting that grace (believe in Christ as the sacrifice for all sin and as the resurrected Savior of the world) is proof that we do not measure up to God's standard of righteousness.
This is proven through the law. The law was given "so that trespass might increase" or so people would see how they fail to meet the standard, written on our heart, for doing right. The law doesn't make us sin. It shows us that we are more guilty that we thought. People often try to justify their actions and their life choices. They try to change the rules or read the Bible to fit their own interpretation and ignore the rest. When they cannot, they ignore the rules or disregard them. The law stays the same. It cannot be changed.
Left at this, we don't have any hope because there is nothing we can do ourselves to make things right. What about prison or asking for forgiveness? That would mean we would need to agree to a higher lifestyle standard. This is the standard measured by God's righteousness. Only God's grace is greater than sin.
The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 (NIV)I know this is a peek into the future but it has to be said. God's righteousness is not meant to condemn us but to convict us. Convictions are standards we live by, and God's righteousness sets the standard. So when conviction emerges, it is a signal that change is needed, not a signal to give up. God's love is not His judgment. It is His standard, and when we fall below this standard, His judgment is motivation for us to ask for His assistance to get back up. Yet so many people fall and then blame God for setting any standards. They blame Him for their faults. They forget that God says:
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)Without His judgment, we would have little motivation to make changes.
The second argument being bantered said that God could be more glorified through continued sin.
Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Romans 3:7 (NIV)In other words, why not keep sinning so God receives more glory? For those who say this, they believe that evil produces more good. This is not a very logical argument. Evil cannot produce good (two wrongs never make a right). Good has to be present for good to exist. Since God is good, God has to be present for good to emerge. To keep sinning is to refuse God and His righteousness.
Deliberate sin does not draw God to us. Sin repels God because sin is counter to holiness. God is holy. Yet, God chooses to come toward us to repair the relationship He wants to have with us. God has done everything He can to draw us to Him. We have to choose - Him and His grace or sin and His judgment. Until we do, we remain apart from Him and no amount of sin will bring Him any closer. He has already taken the first step, we have to turn around and take the next step towards Him.
Sin is our rebellion towards God, not His rebellion against us. He is faithful in that no amount of sin will keep Him from forgiving us. All we have to do is accept His standard and repent of our current lifestyles and standards. He is faithful to forgive, to renew, and to guide. Forgiveness of our sinful rebellion only comes from a change or transformation through Jesus Christ. Any less from us (especially those who want to sin more, sow their oats, or whatever else they are calling it today), deserves the condemnation that comes from Satan. Condemnation destroys life; conviction brings life.
- What are the most important things in your life? Are they more important than God?
- Are little sins overlooked by God?
- Does your faith ever get in the way of your life? What is the difference?
- Are there areas in your life that you could let go of that would allow God to have more access to you?
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