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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD AND JUDGMENT (Rom 3:5-9) 3/25/07 Pastor Daryl Hilbert I.
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS ENTRUSTED HIS WORD (Rom 3:1-2) II. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS INSURES
HIS PROMISES (Rom 3:3-4) A. Question: Does Unbelief
Nullify the Faithfulness of God? (3) B. Answer: God is Faithful in
His Promises (4) III. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS INSURES
HIS JUDGMENT (Rom 3:5-9) A. Question: Does
Unrighteousness Nullify the Righteousness of God? (5) 1. Paul has answered two
questions or objections so far. One was concerning the advantage of the Jew
(1-2). The other asked if God’s faithfulness was nullified
because of unbelief (3-4). 2. This next
objection (“what shall we say?”) questions God’s righteousness in bringing
wrath upon those who are unrighteous. 3. The argument suggests that
man’s unrighteousness demonstrates (sunístêmi
- making known by action, show, bring out cp. Rom 5:8) that only God is
righteous. While this is true, the argument becomes skewed
when it insinuates God is unrighteous by inflicting wrath on those who exalt
God through their unrighteousness. 4. Paul states that he is
speaking in “human terms,” which literally means, I am speaking according to
man” (katá ánthrōpon
légō) In other words, he is using a man-made
argument. B. Answer: God is Faithful in
His Righteous Judgment (6) 1. Once again, Paul answers such
an objection with the strongest negative in the Greek language (mề génoito - lit. “not even in the least possibility,”
or “it cannot be”). 2. Why? Because it is absolutely ludicrous to charge God with unrighteousness
for any reason. Paul has just stated that even if every man is found to be a liar, God is always found to be true. His
words are always justified and His judgment will always prevail. 3. Paul continues with an argumentum ad absurdum, by taking the opponent’s
argument to its absurd conclusion, i.e. “how then will God judge the world.” It
would be absurd to think that God is unrighteous because he judged sinners in
the world. 4. God is faithful in judging
all sinners, Gentiles or Jews and the Scriptures emphatically teach that He
is absolutely righteous in doing so (Psa 7:11; Psa
9:7-8; Psa 50:6; Psa 96:13). C. Question: Does a Lack of
Truth Nullify the Truthfulness of God? (7) 1. The next successive
objection comes full circle, relinquishing man from any accountability for
his sin. 2. The argument goes that if
man’s falsehood (falsehoods concerning God, His salvation, our sinfulness, or
claiming to be God’s people but not obeying His truth) glorifies God and His
truth, then how can anyone who glorifies God be charged as a sinner. 3. These objections really do
reflect Paul’s theme in the first three chapters because all are sinners and
all are under God’s judgment D. Answer: God is Faithful in
His Truthful Judgment (8) 1. Paul does not even dignify
such thinking with an answer (though he negates the premise in Rom 6:1-2). In
fact, Paul responds with irony by saying, “why not say that I promote evil so
that good may come.” 2. There were those who were
actually accusing Paul of such an unbiblical philosophy. Paul calls these
accusers, “slanderous” or literally “blasphemous” (blaspheméō - speak injuriously or sacrilegiously). 3. Those who charge Paul with
such false accusations actually justify God in his condemnation (kríma - judgment or punishment,
Rom 2:2, 3; Rom 5:16; Rom 13:2) against them. IV. GOD’S FAITHFULNESS CHARGES
ALL UNDER SIN (9) A. Paul’s asks the question
again to conclude his point in 3:1, “Are we better than they?” Some have
taken the “we” to refer to believers. While this is a possible
interpretation, it is not inconsistent for Paul to
bring up the beginning question and answer it conclusively. B. Paul strongly answers with,
“not at all” (oú
pántōs). His reason is that he has already proved that both
the Jews are under sin (2:1-3:8), the Gentiles (1:18-32) and therefore all are
under sin (Rom 3:23). C. Because God
is impartial (Rom 2:11) and righteous, he brings righteous indignation (wrath
and judgment) upon all who have sinned and have rejected Christ (Rom 6:23). V. PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS A. God in His faithfulness not
only carries out judgment, but He carries out the just (éndikos - based on what is right and deserved) penalty for
sin. 1. It is
described as impending (Joh 3:36 cp. Rom 2:5). 2. It is
described as darkness (Mat 8:12a). 3. It is
described as gnashing of teeth (Mat 8:12b). 4. It is described as
unquenchable fire (Mar 9:48; Luk 3:17). 5. It is described as eternal
(Mat 25:46; Mar 9:48) B. The faithfulness of God is
His unchangeable fidelity in covenants and promises to His people. However,
the faithfulness of God is also His unchangeable righteousness in judgment
towards those who reject Christ. If we know Christ, His faithfulness is a
source of comfort; otherwise, His faithfulness is a frightening terror. |
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