THE JEWS HAD SOME OBJECTIONS TO PAUL'S POINT OF VIEW
Romans 3:1-8
Charles e. Whisnant, Pastor/Teacher
July 04, 2010
The JEWS ARGUMENT ABOUT PAUL'S POSITION ON SALVATION
Paul was said to be twisting the scriptures. Paul was said to go against the scriptures about the Jews: Acts 21:28; Acts 24:5-6;
Acts 26:19-21
Paul was saying
- A new covenant
- Grace and the end of the ceremonial law.
- The heart and not the flesh.
- Freedom and not bondage.
- It's not your tradition but God's.
- The very nature of the Gospel went against the grain of traditional Judaism.
The Jews couldn't stand an attack of their Abrahamic security, because they had firmly planted in their minds that their salvation was based on their heritage, law and tradition.
1A Question One: "You are saying that being a Jew means nothing?"
Romans 3:1-2
Answer One: "Yes, in every way."
The Jews just never listened to what the Law said. They never discovered the true message. Mark 12:24.
II Timothy 3:15;
Psalms 19:17
Scripture does much for us. But they never took advantage of being a Jew.
Much like today. We are in the Church, but take little benefits from the privilege .
2A Question Two: "So what if some don't believe, shall their unbelief make God untrustworthy? Romans 3:3-4. "Are you saying God has cancelled his promises to us? "Paul, are you speaking against what the word is saying? THE PROMISE OF GOD IS ATTACKED.
Answer Two: "God forbid." It could never be. Impossible. What can't be? God can't break His word. The unbelief of some doesn't bring the end of the promises of God. Some day He is going to keep his covenant with Israel. God hasn't canceled His promises with Israel. Romans 9 – 11 tell us.
"LET GOD BE TRUE, BUT EVERY MAN A LIAR."
Psalms 51:4 God will be justified and God's character will be upheld. Remember David and Bathsheba. David was hit hard by God's punishment yet David didn't condemn God.
3A QUESTION Three: "Paul, are you attacking God's purity?" vs. 5. "If our unbelief gives greater glory to God's faithfulness, then our sin gives God glory."
("I speak as a man)" Human reason doesn't reflect righteous reason.
The Jews reasoned: "If God's righteousness shines in the midst of my sinfulness, how can God punish me in light of this opportunity."
The Jews reasoned:
Would God take vengeance on me if I give opportunity to give God glory?
The fact is, men like to find ways to justify their sin.
Vs. 7 "If I lie, the truthfulness of God stands out." "How can I be seen as a sinner, when I am doing such a good thing for God?" "The worse I am the better God looks."
Vs. 6 GOD FORBID.
Vs. 8 "LET US DO EVIL, THAT GOOD MAY COME?"
- "If all this is true, then there is no such thing as sin!" And if this is true, how can I be judged as a sinner?" Romans 5:20-21 is the question. Romans 6:1 is the answer.
HERE IT IS: SALVATION DOES NOT GIVE FREEDOM TO SIN.
The new nature does right. The old nature does wrong. Some say, if the old nature does wrong then we are not responsible. That is wrong in every way. You can't put your sin on the old nature and believe you have been justified.
That is why people want to deny the "LORDSHIP OF CHRIST." Because there is a call for holiness in their lives, and they don't like that.
The Jews knew God was going to judge the world. But if sin glorified God, then there would be nothing for God to judge. If there was nothing to judge, then there would be no right or wrong.
But, God IS going to judge right and wrong.
Vs. 8 "WHOSE DAMNATION IS JUST."
There is a deeper damnation to those who believe sin is justified because God is glorified.