Romans Chapter 3

We have considered in the first two chapters, the origin of sin and how it shows itself in the churched (Jews) and the un-churched (Gentiles). The Jews and Gentiles are not different in their natures. They are both judged unfavourably because of sin in them. The conclusion of that presents itself in the form of three arguments from verses 1-9 of Romans 3:

1) Is God unfaithful to His Covenant if some in the covenant are disobedient? (v.3)
Answer: No, for only those who are made obedient are in the Covenant - thus God is true and man is false in presuming upon their own faithfulness that is non-existent.

2) Is God unjust to condemn those disobedient, when it is the disobedient that is made righteous before Him? (v.5)
Answer: No, for all who are disobedient deserves death already. Obedience is given by grace, not by any action from the disobedient.

3) If God justifies the unjust/disobedient, should those justified not seek to increase God's grace by being more disobedient? (v.8)
Answer: No, for further disobedience would show that they are still in their trespasses and sin and not justified.

Therefore, all (everyone who has lived, are alive and will live) are under the power of sin - they are all guilty before God (v.9, 19). There is no advantage among sinners to justify themselves for sin breaks the Law (v.20) for there is nothing in them that is commendable (v.10-18). Rather, the only advantage to the Jews is the anticipation of salvation that comes from God apart from their own works (actions or merit) which is hidden and prophesied in the Law and the Prophets (v.21). How sad that the Law and Prophets were unheeded by the Jews in general because of their self-righteousness. Ultimately, true righteousness (which gives us salvation) comes through faith in Jesus Christ. We are made clean (justified) by God's free mercy and grace in the Person and Works of Jesus Christ.

The result upon those who are truly saved are these:

• They cannot boast of any advantage (v.27)
• They come from all the nations (v.29)
• They show a changed life in loving the law (v.31)

Lessons:

• Judgement upon men is just. It justly falls upon those who have a Christian background and on those who do not have such privileges. There are no arguments that can justify ourselves before the Holy God. Those who had the privilege of hearing this truth ought to come to Christ sooner. Unfortunately, it is usually the opposite case, as in the Israelites! Truly the first shall be last and the last shall be first. 
• Realisation of human depravity (hopelessness and helplessness) ought to throw us into the arms of God's saviour. However, in history and experience we see that men would rather believe in their own self-righteousness which promises salvation by good works. It is because of this belief that many reject the true righteousness that comes freely through God's grace! Instead they boast in themselves and discriminate others by their outward pretension of holiness; inwardly they remain condemned. 

Applications:

1. There are many people who accuse God of being unjust or unfair in His dealings with the peoples in the world. Is He too lenient on the Gentiles and too strict on the Jews? Explain your answers.
2. What is the biggest hindrances that people have to a salvation that is entirely given by God to undeserving sinners based on God's own pleasure and will? Can these hindrances in a person be detected in church? Give some examples of how they can be detected (identified) in church and any methods to take away these hindrances.