Epistles – Romans 3 – 4

We have finished one cycle and now back to the Epistles.

Today we look at Romans Chapters 3 to 4.

From Chapter 3: 1-8, we read that because of the sins and unbelief of the Jews, even though they were the chosen race of God, they were not able to turn away the wrath of God’s righteous judgement.

Sin was not just a malady of the Jews.  It is the problem of the whole world (3:9 – 20).

The Scriptures makes it very clear:  Man lives under the bondage of sin.  Even though the Jews had the knowledge of the Word of God, they still continued to sin.  This testifies that they are not stronger or better than the Gentiles (3:1-28).

The Law also bears testament to thsi fact.  No one is able to completely keep the Law.  The Law can only show you what sin is but is uable to help man escape from the bondage of sin.  And that is why the whole world is guilty before God (3:19-20).

Paul then starts to explain what is needed of faith.

In Chapter 3:21 – 31 – Paul explains the essence of faith. The righteousness of God is shown apart from the Law.  Man is saved, being justified through faith.  And only after man believes in God and is recounciled with Him, will he have the strength to complete the law (3:21-31).

Chapter 4 talks about the promise of faith.  Abraham is the prime example of faith.  He believed in the promises of God.  He believed that God will cause the dead to rise.  He believed that God will change nothing into something.

Reading Passage: Roman 3 – 4

Here are some verses to ponder:

Romans 3:8 – “Why not say, ‘Let us do evil that good may come’?”

Some opponents of Paul claimed that the apostle’s teachings of grace amounted to saying, “Since I am saved anyway, it does not matter if I sin or not.  God’s grace will always take care of me.”

This is a wide spread belief of many Christians, and even some of us do hold this opinion.

But Paul was very clear here.  He condemned this distortion of grace and warned the believers that this cannot be tolerated.

Romans 3:18 – “There is no fear of God before their eyes”

When we look around us and see the evil that is happening, we can understand what this verse is saying.

All sin comes down to this – a refusal to fear God.

Actions that were condemned in the past are now being paraded as icons of justice and equality.  Homosexuality and Lesbianism comes to mind.  Pre-marital sex.  Greed in the corporate world.

All the terrible sins that Paul lists stems from the root source – a rebellious attitude that has no regard for God.  They will not honour God as God.

What about our actions today?  Do we slip into the mainstream and follow the trends of the world and join in the tolerance for evil that many have today?

None of us are perfect – Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

None of us are perfect except for Jesus.  Only He amongst the billions of people born into this world, lived His entire life in complete obedience to God and never committed a single sin.

So who do we want to follow and imitate?  The ‘greats’ of this world?  The ‘stars’?  The ‘idols’?

Imitate Paul as he imitates Christ.

Romans 4:20-21 – “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.”

Did you know that after God promised Abraham that he would have a son, Abraham had to wait for 25 years for God to fulfil His promise?

25 years!

Many of us cannot even wait for one minute!  And yet Abraham waited patiently without wavering in his belief that God will keep His promise.  And finally when he was 100 years old and Sarah was 90, the promised son came.

God never promises anything that He cannot deliver.  Do we believe that?

If we say we believe in God’s promises, then ought not we put our complete trust in Him, no matter how dire the situation we may be in.

Sometimes when we read the Bible, we seem to think that God answers prayers or fulfills His promises very quickly.  This is because of the way the recordings descrivbes the story.

But when you actually think about the time lapse, then you begin to fully appreciate Abraham’s great faith.