Scripture to Read: Romans 3:5–6
God continues, through Paul, to ask another question that has an obvious answer. But though the answer is obvious to believers today, the answer was not obvious when this letter was written, and it is still not obvious to those without Christ. God had Paul ask and then also answer this question in Romans 3:5–6, But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? So, what God led Paul to say is that some people might think that man's sinfulness serves a positive purpose. These people would say that the positive benefit of man's sinfulness is that it helps people see the righteousness of God. These people would also say that if man's sinfulness serves such a great benefit, then God is unfair for punishing people for their sinfulness. As a believer, even before reading Romans 3:6, you see the absurdity in this way of thinking. But, since it is in God's Word, people were thinking and saying this in Paul's day, and there are still people thinking and saying this today. Thankfully, God used Paul to answer this absurd way of thinking in Romans 3:6, May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? So, if God were not fair, how would He be fit to judge the entire human race (1 Peter 1:17)? God is always impartial, and we must trust Him completely.
Challenge & Application
· Why do people think that God is unfair when it comes to judging their sin?
· How are you guarding against a mindset that considers God unfair and living fully for Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!