Romans 3:9-20 Are Christians any better?
Romans 3:9-20 Are Christians any better?
9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; 10 as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one; 11 There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; 12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.” 13 “ Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving,” “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”; 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood, 16 Destruction and misery are in their paths, 17 And the path of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 19 Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; 20 because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Background
Here, Paul puts forth the question: are the Jews, as possessors of the Law inherently better than the Gentiles? Are they by virtue of their heritage considered as more righteous? Paul quotes from scripture to show that the corruption of the Jews is evident during the days of the prophet Isaiah and the psalms. Throughout Jewish history, the Law could not change the Jew’s sinful nature and they are no better than the Gentiles. Paul writes to arouse the Jews into realising that possessing the law does not make them righteous. Instead, it exposes the ugliness of man’s sins making him liable to judgement. Perhaps we, as modern Christians should also re-examine the authenticity of our faith through our attitudes and desires. Are we as possessors of the bible any better than the non-believers?
Observation
What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin. As it is written,…
Paul asks the question: Are the Jews morally superior or more righteous than the Gentiles? Are we better than they (the Gentiles)? Paul states that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are under sin’s bondage; the Jews exhibit the same wickedness as the Gentiles. Even though the Jews possess the oracles of God and the covenant, that did not magically transform every Jew.
As we have seen from our earlier devotions that God judges the motives of man’s heart and the works that flow from of it. It is based on these attitudes and mindset that Paul comes to the conclusion that the Jews, despite their knowledge of law are no better than the Gentiles.
“There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understand; there is none who seeks for God …”
Indeed, with or without the scriptures, all are found to be unrighteous. This speaks of a heart that is self-centred, that without God’s intervention no human heart can be made right. He is fixated on his personal agenda and has no concern for God’s purposes in the world. Apart from his own salvation and blessing, He has no interest in God as his Lord. Nor is he concerned for the wellbeing of the community.
“All have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.”
The knowledge of scripture cannot stop the perversion of what is good and wholesome: turned aside. They are perverted to the core, being involved in vices and the unnatural use of sex. They are addicted to the pleasures of the flesh and have become worthless and a liability to the purpose of God: useless. There is none who acts out of a pure intent. For all act out of hypocrisy.
“Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”
This speaks of the world of evil that is hidden in the tongue. Such take joy in gossips and falsehood. Their pleasure is to poison the unaware, being consumed by the desire to destroy. They take joy in the demise of another. The corruption of their heart is evident by their constant cursing and bitterness. Such are those who are ungrateful, constantly complaining about the things that do not go their way.
“Their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
This speaks of those who have no respect for the law or for the rights of others. Such will continually look for ways to benefit themselves without regard for the welfare of others. Their only law is deception. They have no fear of God and boast mighty things, being ignorant of their own foolishness while being deceived. They think to themselves, “I will not be punished for my evil that I have done!”
Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the law.
“Now we know that whatever the Law says” refers to the precepts of the law that are broken by both the Jews and the Greeks that made them guilty. Although the Greeks did not possess the scriptures, but they had human conscience as a law in itself. Thus, at the judgment seat of Christ, the law will be used as a standard to judge every man. And every human being will be called to account for everything they did: every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God. Paul debunks the notion that the Law exonerates sinners from judgement. But far from it, the law (which constitutes God’s moral standard) reveals man’s transgressions and judges him.
Truth
Assurance of salvation is not found in one’s religious commitment but his heart posture.
In other words, God will judge a person purely by his character and heart posture. His religious affiliation and commitment will have zero leverage over how God evaluates him. That said, one who comes to Christ will receive mercy and grace for salvation. One is assured of his salvation when he sees evidences of Christ-likeness in all that he say and do: life goals, convictions, and desires.
a. One’s life goal. He makes it his life goal to evangelise and to help establish God’s Kingdom on earth. Paul rebukes the Jews as useless and worthless as far as the kingdom is concerned: “All have turned aside, together they have become useless.” For a true follower of God, righteousness and healing flow abundantly from his heart. One may put on a Christian face, but will not sacrifice his time, effort and resources to help others. When Jesus asks the rich young man if he has fulfilled the Law, the young man answers Jesus saying,
“All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” – Matthew 19:20-24.
God does not call everyone to sell their possessions immediately. However, if one is not empathetic towards the poor and marginalised, being self-absorbed in his personal salvation and welfare, he has missed the point. One can be so busy enriching himself while being steep in religious practices. Such is a hypocrite and worse than a non-believer. Jesus is calling believers today to participate in His plans to make the world a better place.
b. One’s values. A believer’s values mirror God’s values. He loves what God loves and abhors what God abhors. On the other hand, he who does the contrary, who is self-serving has no fear of God. Such who do not hesitate to shed blood, destruction and misery will be judged. Many who claim to be Christians climb the corporate ladder without regard to their weaker colleagues. They are selfish, vicious and cold-hearted in their ways, and will be condemned because they dishonour the Lord’s name.
c. One’s desire. How does one derive joy and pleasure on a daily basis? In other words, what does he look forward to? In high stressed societies, one does not allow much time for quiet contemplation or self-reflection. Many spend their time gossiping and drinking with friends of like nature; they need to constantly feed their emptiness with entertainment and various social activities. Man’s greatest satisfaction is derived from intimacy with God. We experience great joy when we walk righteously and intimately in God’s directives and calling.
The gospel message must reflect the love and the holiness of God
Up until the 1940’s, the gospel message has always appeal to God’s holiness and the need for repentance. The perception of the gospel has bode negatively for many because of its slant towards self-mortification. The 1950’s sees the rise of the grace movement and the message of God’s unconditional love. That has no doubt contributed to church growth for many were attracted to the message of God’s unconditional love, the God who does not judge sinners. As a result, many no longer see repentance as a necessity for salvation. They see the gospel as a means to acquire more blessings without the need for repentance and sanctification.
At the turn of the century, the persistent question remains: What is then the difference between believers and non-believers of Christ. No doubt, God is love, but He is also holy and demands holiness from His people. The majority of the churchgoers who enter without the concept of God’s holiness continue to live in the same manner before they enter the church. Because they do not progress in holiness, they remain in corruption and poverty. Jesus teaches about holiness and perfection: Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. God’s unconditional love towards sinners demands recipients of His love to exercise unconditional forgiveness towards others.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:46-48
Unless one experiences rebirth in the Spirit to live in love and purity, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches Nicodemus the Jew concerning salvation,
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.” John 3:5-7
The Jews in the days of Paul and Jesus are somewhat likened to many churchgoers today: they remain fleshly in their life goals and lifestyle. They are given a partial gospel where one only has to ask in order to receive. Because change is not part of the equation of salvation, many in their churches and synagogues remain in bondages of sin.
Application
How can I be assured of my salvation? When a person acknowledges Jesus as Lord of his life and take steps to change his life goals and lifestyle, he enters into a covenant with God as His son. Base on this covenant, God predestines Him for righteousness and glory by orchestrating the events of his life. Assurance of salvation for a growing believer increases over time when he sees Christ’s virtues and gifts being manifested in greater measure. One cannot grow in assurance of salvation without a visible manifestation of Christ’s virtues and power through his life. Therefore, make a covenant with God now by committing your life towards Christ-likeness and perfection.
Render financial assistance to those who are not able to work; to help train up the children of those who are not able to do so; to go into the world to heal the sick and the preach the Word; and to look out for those who are wounded in our workplace and community etc. Are we willing to be trained, to invest our time, effort and financial resources for the benefit of others?
Dear Lord, I acknowledge my imperfections, as I was unaware of the things I do and the issues of my heart. Help me to grow as I seek to improve on one issue at a time. Help me discover Your plans and purpose for my life and bring people to come along side with me to help grow towards it. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.