Privilege and Profit. Romans 3:1-8 V.1. The ungodly who are condemned by overt sinful practices, and the humanitarians and religious people who think God should accept them on the basis of their works and pedigree, find themselves facing the logic of truth. In a series of questions and answers, the Jewish objections to God's way of salvation and the righteousness of God are addressed. What is the point of, or advantage of, having the law if true circumcision is only inward? What benefit is there in hearing the Gospel when one is young? Isn't it worse that we were brought up in a Christian home or environment?
V.2. Answer: the opposite is true. Jews were blessed by knowing God's will. We have been blessed because God has revealed Himself to us through the scriptures. We have been able to see the results of faith in God, by watching those who live by faith. The holy scriptures with promises and prophecies, give us the privilege of light and truth being revealed to us. The depressing picture of condemnation of all by our own actions when the law is applied to them, is lifted when we learn the basis of hope is God Himself, not His law.
V.3. The Jews who did not believe; who were unfaithful to God's truth revealed in the law and lost God's blessing thought; isn't God being unfair to them? Those who were sanctified by believing parents and those who taught them the Gospel; isn't God breaking His promise if they die in their sins?
V.4. Answer: those who are unfaithful to what they have learned and know, must suffer the consequences of their unbelief. God is always faithful. His word is always justified. When God's truth is challenged, He never breaks faith on His word. His truth always stands fast no matter what men may say or do. Truth will always overcome.
V.5. So, if our sin, our unrighteousness increases God's righteousness and fulfills God's purposes, isn't God unfair to judge us? Isn't it unjust if He is a forgiving God and His very nature is love, for Him to condemn us to hell? If sin teaches us important lessons and helps us keep in touch with what is going on in the culture around us, won't God's grace overlook that sin?
V.6. Answer: this is twisted human thinking, because if God did not judge the Jews who had the blessings of the law, or those favored by hearing the Gospel some from their youth up, then it would be unfair of Him to pass any judgment on any people anywhere, especially those who are less privileged people. All sinners no matter what their excuses may be, will have to answer to God for their sin.
V.7. If sin brings out the truth of God and the goodness of God, why shouldn't people sin more that God might be seen in an even better light? If a person who knows the truth of God and the Gospel message well - why shouldn't he go deeper into sin so that if God saves him, God's grace and mercy would seem greater than ever before? If God is a God of grace, isn't that more obvious the worse our sin is?
V.8. Answer: there are dangers in this absurd position and those who believe and teach it have a just damnation coming. There is the imminent danger of a sinner dying in his sins even though they knew the way of salvation well. The Gospel of grace is still being declared and will be until the Lord comes. Many people imagine that they can be accepted by God even if they do not repent of their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Conviction of sin leads to repentance. Repentance leads to faith in Christ alone for salvation, apart from the works of the law or the works of the flesh. No matter what a person may think of himself or what religious gathering they are a part of, God will save them and accept them through Christ alone. He can righteously forgive them because of what the Lord Jesus Christ did on their behalf. Their new nature will lead "the wicked to forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts."