“The Knowledge of the Law”
(Romans 3:1-20)
Series: Romans – United in the Gospel [on screen]
Rev. Matthew C. McCraw, EdD
First Baptist Church, Bartow, Florida
February 6, 2022
Introductory Comments:
Have you ever received a lot of information about something and after a while you get to the point where you just need to ask some clarifying questions? That’s how I am when my kids try to explain a new board game to me. I listen to them for a little while and then I just start asking questions.
Well, Paul has been sharing with the Roman Christians a lot of different information pertaining to the wrath of God towards Gentiles, the wrath of God towards religious pretenders, and the judgment of God towards Jews who were not truly faithful to the Lord.
Now, it’s almost as if Paul is anticipating questions that the people might be asking him in response to what he’s said. So, he’s addressing these hypothetical questions that may arise from all that he’s said thus far in his letter to the Romans.
Before we get into these questions, let’s go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to bless us.
(prayer)
So, Paul asks these questions and then provides some answers for them. Here are the questions that Paul will ask (we’ll look at these in more detail as we progress along):
In verse 1 – What advantage does the Jew have? [on screen]
In verse 3 – Does the unfaithfulness of some Jews compromise the faithfulness of God? [on screen]
In verses 5-7 – Is God unfair to punish us if our unrighteousness points to the greatness of God’s grace? [on screen]
In verse 8 – Should we sin so that God can look good by forgiving us? [on screen]
In verse 9 – Are the Jews better off than the Gentiles? [on screen]
These are some important questions. I’m not going to take each one independently. Instead, I’ve narrowed these down to three questions for us to consider today.
First, . . .
I. What’s the point of the law? (1-8) [on screen]
So, Paul has spent some time in the previous passages pointing out that the Jews are not made right with God simply because they have the law of God. The law, given by Moses, in and of itself does not save us from our sin. So, what’s the point?
Well, let’s see what Paul says. Look at verses 1-8:
1 So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Considerable in every way. First, they were entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What then? If some were unfaithful, will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Absolutely not! Let God be true, even though everyone is a liar, as it is written: That you may be justified in your words and triumph when you judge.
5 But if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, what are we to say? I am using a human argument: Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath? 6 Absolutely not! Otherwise, how will God judge the world? 7 But if by my lie God’s truth abounds to his glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, just as some people slanderously claim we say, “Let us do what is evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!
So, Paul doesn’t say at all that receiving the law is a waste. No! Instead, he says that, “ . . . they were entrusted with the very words of God.”
The law of God is a blessing, not a curse. In and of itself, it does not save us. However, it does point us to the God who can save us. It does point us to our great need for the God who can save us. It does show us more about God, more about God’s ways, and more about ourselves and our need for God’s ways.
So also, I said this last week: growing up in church, having access to biblical teaching, and being surrounded by other Christians can’t save you from your sins. However, all of those things are blessings because they draw us closer and closer to who God is, what He wants for us, and the knowledge of how He can save us from our sins through the work of Jesus!
Paul goes on to point out that just because God’s people are unfaithful doesn’t mean that He is unfaithful. God is always faithful, even when we are unfaithful. When we are liars, God is still truthful. When we are sinners, God is still holy. When we are hateful, God is still loving. Even though the Jews did not follow God’s ways, He was still faithful to His covenant with them. The greatness and faithfulness of God is never compromised even when we are weak and unfaithful.
Next, Paul addresses another idea. Will our sin make God look greater? Will our unrighteousness highlight the righteousness of God?
Paul addresses this on two fronts: first of all, if this is the case, should we sin more? Paul says in verse 8 that those who say such things are worthy of condemnation. Secondly, Paul says that if this is the case (that God’s righteousness is highlighted by our unrighteousness), then is it unfair for God to judge our sin. Paul answers in verse 6, “Absolutely not!”
This would be like a child saying to their parent, “Every time you forgive my disobedience and disrespect, it makes you look like a better parent. Therefore, I think I’ll be more disrespectful and more disobedient so that you can look like a better parent.” Well, that’s ridiculous, isn’t it?
So, the point of the law is not to save us, but to point us to our need to be saved. Circumcision does not save the Jews, but it shows them and reminds them that they are to be God’s faithful covenant people. The law of God is a blessing to us in that it shows us God and God’s ways, as well as our great need for God.
The Jews had a great advantage in that they stood in the front of the waiting line when it came to those who had access to God’s grace. The law showed them where the line was, showed them how to get there, and told them what they would receive once they made it to the head of the line: God’s grace and forgiveness.
So, that’s the first question we’re answering, “What’s the point of the law?”
Second, . . .
II. What’s the state of humanity? (9-18) [on screen]
In case any of Paul’s hearers, or any of us, have made it this far and we think that there is something special about us, or we are somehow more righteous than other people, Paul sets the record straight in this passage.
Look at verses 9-18:
9 What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, 10 as it is written:
There is no one righteous, not even one.
11 There is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned away;all alike have become worthless.There is no one who does what is good,not even one.
13 Their throat is an open grave;they deceive with their tongues.Vipers’ venom is under their lips.
14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.
15 Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths,
17 and the path of peace they have not known.
18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Ok, let’s look at these definitive statements from Paul. Let me break it down for you:
Paul says in verse 9,
“ . . . both Jews and Greeks are all under sin” [on screen]
Then, Paul says in verse 10,
“There is no one righteous, not even one.” [on screen]
Then, Paul goes on to use these horrible descriptions of the sin of humanity, including an open grave, viper’s venom, cursing, bitterness, blood, ruin and wretchedness, and no fear of God. I mean this is terrible, isn’t it?
I mean, what are we to make of this, church? What is the state of humanity?
The state of humanity is that we are totally depraved without God! We have no ability to enter into God’s kingdom on our own! When it comes to being good enough to receive forgiveness of our sins, we are totally helpless!
It doesn’t matter if you are Jewish or non-Jewish. It doesn’t matter if you grew up in a Christian home or you grew up in a life of crime. It doesn’t matter if you are a terrorist or a patriot. It doesn’t matter if your last name starts with A-M or N-Z. It doesn’t matter which side of the tracks you live on. It doesn’t matter if you know the Bible front to back or if you’ve never cracked open a Bible. When it comes to standing before God based on your own merit you are not only up the creek without a paddle, your canoe is upside down, you’re surrounded by alligators, and there’s a deadly waterfall straight ahead!
Remember, the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 64:6, “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.”[on screen]
Paul is not beating around the bush any longer, he’s giving it to us straight: we are hopeless and helpless on our own and we desperately need God. That is the state of humanity!
Well, what’s the final question? Here it is:
III. What’s the conclusion of the matter? (19-20) [on screen]
Paul is now coming back to the issue of the law. He is speaking now to those who view themselves as God’s people.
Let’s look at verses 19-20:
19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. 20 For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
Paul points out in verse 19 that all those who have the law should realize from observing the law that they don’t measure up. Their mouths should be shut and they shouldn’t for a second boast in their own righteousness.
Then, in verse 20, Paul gets to the heart of this passage. What is the conclusion of the matter? Verse 20 has it: . . . no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.
You cannot be justified by the law! Jew or Gentile; no one! You cannot obverse enough religious rules, you cannot be nice enough, you cannot help enough old ladies across the street to be justified before God.
So, here’s the point of the law: to give us the knowledge of sin. The law of God reveals God, it reveals God’s way, and it reveals who we are. When we see the picture of God and His ways, and we see our own ways, it should become obvious to us that we are in sin and we need help.
Pastor Tony Evans is helpful here (he’s the master illustrator). Pastor Tony says, “Think of the law as a mirror that shows you who you really are . . . Mirrors don’t fix anything; they show us what needs fixing. The law was not designed to fix you, but to reveal what needs fixing.”
How many of you like to look in a mirror? [show picture on screen] You don’t have to answer that. Oftentimes, we don’t like what we see in the mirror. There’s something wrong with my mirror. It somehow makes it look like my hair is thinning. Also, there’s something wrong with my sink because something like hair forms in the sink when I comb my hair. There’s something wrong with my pillowcase also . . . but anyways. A mirror doesn’t lie to you; it reveals what is there. So also, the law of God shows you what is there: a sinner in need of a Savior.
The law is good and we need it to point us to Jesus. We need it to be our mirror and our guide to take us to God.
Let this bottom line summarize where we’re going:
Bottom Line: The law of God is wonderful, but it is not our final solution. [on screen]
(repeat)
Well, what is our final solution? I’m glad that you asked.
I don’t want us to lose heart; there is a solution. Paul has set us up perfectly for the next sermon. I’ll give you a sneak peek. Listen to what Paul says in verses 21-22:
But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction. [on screen]
So, the solution is not the law, the solution is Jesus, for all those who believe. Jew or Gentile, law or no law, we are only justified through Jesus.
We’ll come back to this in just a minute. For now, focus on these two weekly challenges:
Weekly Challenge: [on screen]
1. Reflect upon Romans 3:9-18. [on screen]
Go back and read this on your own. How does it make you feel? Do you agree with it? What does it mean for your life?
2. Determine what your solution is. [on screen]
How are you going to fix the sin problem in your life? If you’re still in sin, you know it’s a problem. How are you going to fix it?
What’s your solution?
Closing:
We’ve heard a lot of what Paul said. Let’s hear what Peter has to say. In 1 Peter 3:18, Peter said this:
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God. [on screen]
You need a solution and Jesus is that solution. If you have Jesus, keep coming back to Him. Live in that freedom and finally fulfill the law of God, which you could never do apart from Jesus. If you don’t have Jesus, come to Him today!
(Gospel presentation)
(closing prayer)
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