God is Faithful
10/12/2008 Filed in: General
God is Faithful
(Romans 3:1-8)
Romans 3:1-8 (NIV): What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? [2] Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. [3] What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? [4] Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." [5] But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) [6] Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? [7] Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" [8] Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying ad as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
1. There Is Value In Being "Religious"
(Romans 3:1-2)
· THE TRUTH: God has faithfully given you His word; you cannot claim you are ignorant about his instructions.
Romans 15:4 (NIV): For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
2. My Sin Does Not Change God's Faithfulness
(Romans 3:3-4)
· THE TRUTH: I cannot blame my sin on God.
James 1:13-15 (NIV): When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
· THE TRUTH: Everything good is from God.
James 1:16-18 (NIV): Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
3. God Looks Bad When I Am Inconsistent In My Values
(Romans 3:1-2)
· THE TRUTH: God can't get any more righteous. Therefore, I must practice repentance and confession.
1 John 1:9 (NIV): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV);That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
(Romans 3:1-8)
Romans 3:1-8 (NIV): What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? [2] Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. [3] What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? [4] Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." [5] But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) [6] Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? [7] Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" [8] Why not say--as we are being slanderously reported as saying ad as some claim that we say--"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
1. There Is Value In Being "Religious"
(Romans 3:1-2)
· THE TRUTH: God has faithfully given you His word; you cannot claim you are ignorant about his instructions.
Romans 15:4 (NIV): For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
2. My Sin Does Not Change God's Faithfulness
(Romans 3:3-4)
· THE TRUTH: I cannot blame my sin on God.
James 1:13-15 (NIV): When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; [14] but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. [15] Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
· THE TRUTH: Everything good is from God.
James 1:16-18 (NIV): Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. [18] He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
3. God Looks Bad When I Am Inconsistent In My Values
(Romans 3:1-2)
· THE TRUTH: God can't get any more righteous. Therefore, I must practice repentance and confession.
1 John 1:9 (NIV): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 10:9-10 (NIV);That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord", and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.