David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 3:1-8

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,

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.

An old American Express commercial had the tag line: Membership has its privileges. That is also true in regard to membership in a country club: there are privileges. But what about a church? We have tried to make a point that membership in a church (the body of Christ) has its responsibilities rather than its privileges. Perhaps, however, we have overstated the case. Actually there are great privileges to be members of a church, the local and located body of Christ. We have the Word of God. We have the mutual conversation and consolation of the brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the sacraments. These are treasures and gifts from God.

Paul makes that point about the Jews, but for a different contrast. In his case, he is not contrasting privileges versus responsibilities. He is speaking of the reality he lifted up in 2:11, ” For God shows no partiality.” If that is the case, one could conclude that there are no advantages to being a Jew. Such is not the case. But as soon as Paul mentions just one advantage, he takes up a different argument. The charge is properly made against the Jews that they were unfaithful. But our unfaithfulness does not nullify God’s faithfulness. So even if the Jews who had the oracles of God – his very word through the Old Testament prophets and writers – but never fully followed them (cf. Romans 3:10-11, quoting from Psalm 14 & 53).

The charge is rightly laid at the feet of Christians today that we don’t do all we say others ought to do. We don’t walk the talk. But this is precisely why we preach the Gospel. The Gospel (Good News) is that God forgives sin; that we are justified before him by his grace for the sake of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Whenever anyone points to a church member’s poor witness or hypocrisy as the reason for their rejection of Christ, I want to say, “There’s always room for one more sinner in the church.” We are all sinners after all. Then comes the charge: You’re saying we should do more evil so that more good from God may come to us. Paul calls such an accusation slander, and will deal with it more fully in Romans 6. There is no excuse. No one but God is righteous. He will judge the world, and that includes you and me. If there is no Savior, or hope for salvation we are doomed. But it is our distinct privilege to call Jesus our Lord. He has redeemed us. We are his. Paul will make much of that in the verses to come. We must make the most of that every day.