This is a Blogger Small Group entry in partnership with Run’n Like a Vagabond.
Romans 3:9-10 = I love how Paul essentially points out in the first eight verses of the chapter that the Jews really did drop the ball. They were chosen as God’s people and entrusted with the truth so that they could show it to the world. They failed.
Paul does this so that he can point out in verses 9 and 10 that the advantages of being a Jew are null and void. All mankind, regardless of race or creedal past, is under the curse of sin. Therefore, as the CEV puts it, “No one is acceptable to God.”
Romans 3:11-18 = So now contrast the life of the average Joe with the life of someone transformed by the power of Christ. Paul completely shoots infinite holes in the idea that man just needs to be good to get into Heaven. In God’s economy, there is no one who does good. Paul blows away the theory of “illumination,” that if you learn enough about God and His word, of just about life in general, it will lift you to a higher state. In God’s economy, there is no one who is wise or possesses understanding. Washed away is the idea that someone who speaks well and good is racking up points with the Father. In God’s economy, all mankind’s speech is foul, full of the stench of decomposition and dripping with venom.
“But I’m not as bad as that guy over there. That has to mean something to God. I’m a good person.” In God’s view, we all rush to murder. Destruction and heartbreak follow us everywhere we go.
Worst of all, mankind has no fear of God. Isn’t there a proverb that says something about the beginning of wisdom?
Romans 3:19-20 = Here’s the problem with following the Law, or living a legalistic lifestyle in the hopes that it leads to righteousness: all the Law does is show us how bad we really are, it doesn’t fix our problem.
When God gave the Law to Moses and entrusted it to the Jewish nation, it was really meant for all mankind. The Law was to be the measure against which mankind judged itself. The Law was also to point all men toward the maker of the Law, the only one who could redeem, renew, and restore man.
Unfortunately, the Hebrews reverted to human form and took God out of the Law. They used their own fallen wisdom to interpret and expand the Law, making it the destination rather than the roadmap pointing toward the Original Author. This isn’t just a Jewish problem, man has always done this and still does. We place our faith and trust in our own understand and interpretations. We follow our broken consciences and man-made laws and believe that is the measure of righteousness.
Is it any wonder we turn on the news each night and view a world run amok? We shouldn’t be shocked at all.
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I like the last section of your entry, they relied on themselves. We all rely on ourselves far to much and push out room for God to come in and help. Great post.
I am not sure about a piece of what you are saying. I think that Paul stated that just because you are a Jew doesn’t mean you have a free ticket. What changed from the old testament to the new testament is Christ. He fills the gap for us… we will always live in sin, and and unless we believe in Him, we will always fall short. Prior to Christ, there was mercy - but no accountability?
Love this… “all the Law does is show us how bad we really are, it doesn’t fix our problem”
Also this… ” We place our faith and trust in our own understand and interpretations.” Just look at the recent report about how American believe.
Michaels last blog post..Romans 3: 9-20 - Blogger Small Group
Proverbs 2:1-5
My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
Heaths last blog post..We’re all in the same sinking boat.
Great post!
When I think about the Law, I can only think about how glad I am that Jesus came. Reading the Law will do this to you. In fairness, I think there’s a lot of stuff in the Law that the Jews understood perfectly and which has no relevence to us because we either haven’t learned the relevant cultural context or it’s been lost to antiquity.
Anyway, Michael said “before the law there was mercy but no accountability?” I’m not sure what you’re saying Michael. But if I understand you right, the answer would be that mercy was given in an anticipatory fashion, based on Jesus future attoning sacrifice.
Grace and Peace to all ya’ll.
Cindy
Oops! I mean mercy was given before Christ in an anticipatory fashion, which includes both before and after the coming of the Law.
I don’t really understand how things were before the Law–I’d have to study on it a little more. I expect that at that time the Jews were just in the same boat as the non-Jews. . . expected to follow the law of their consciences which God had placed within them. The law of nature, so to speak.
Got to go to bed. My eyes are getting bleary!
God Bless,
Cindy
Thanks you. God bless you and this blog.
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