Every Day Devotion

Romans 3:10 [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; (ESV) Just how wicked are you? Has anyone ever asked you that question? I imagine you might even be a bit offended at the suggestion that you are wicked. Humanity has a great struggle coming to terms with the reality of our own wickedness. We instinctively like to think that we are basically good, not realizing that the notion of our goodness is part of our fallen nature. My favorite preacher of all history is the great late Charles Spurgeon. He is considered to be the "Prince of Preachers." He is likely the most quoted preacher in pulpits across the world to this very day. I love the way that he described our human nature, including his own. Spurgeon said:  "You cannot slander human nature; it is worse than words can paint it.” Imagine that the vilest words used in human language do not do enough justice to the evil nature that resides in each one of us. I dare say that this concept is hard fo...

Romans 3:9 [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, (ESV) There have been a few times when I have participated in celebrating a Passover feast. It was rich with historical and theological meaning. There are many traditions and celebrations in the Jewish faith that are very beautiful and meaningful. The Apostle Paul was a Jew. He would have been very familiar with all of the traditions of his faith. Listen to Paul describe his background: Acts 22:3 [3] “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. (ESV) For Paul to say that he was educated at the feet of Gamaliel might be similar to someone saying that they had a Doctorate degree from Harvard University. He was highly educated in all manner of the Jewish Law. He was zealous...

Romans 3:7–8 [7] But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? [8] And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just. (ESV) There is an age-old criticism of those who believe in salvation by the grace of God. Man's heart is full of pride. That pride does not want to give God all the credit for the purchase of our salvation. If you doubt me on this just listen to "Christians" talk about their works. They love to tell you about how they spend money helping the poor, donated funds to the church, built things for homeless, etc. Those who believe in some sort of involvement of works when it comes to salvation look at those who believe in salvation by God's grace and they are incensed. They look at sinful people simply being forgiven as an act of God. They see no human works that purchased that salvation. They focus on the sinfulness of the o...

Romans 3:5–6 [5] But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) [6] By no means! For then how could God judge the world? (ESV) The Apostle Paul had his critics. This should come as no surprise. Paul is challenging Jews and Gentiles alike. He is telling the Jews to abandon the Jewish Law. He is telling the Gentiles to abandon their idolatry. Together, all of them are invited to place their faith in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all; Jews and Gentiles. One of the criticisms of Paul's teaching is that he was condoning sin. For the Jews they see Paul as not holding them to the strict following of the Old Testament Law. For the Gentiles he tells them they can be completely forgiven of their grievous sins that were against God, even though they did not have the Law that the Jews had. Paul poses an argument to his critics. He is basically saying, "If al...

Romans 3:3–4 [3] What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? [4] By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” (ESV) Today I read some remarks posted on a social media site. They were made by a bitter man who grew up in the church and now takes every chance he can to mock Christianity. As a pastor's son he saw the hypocrisies of many in the church and it affected him Sounds familiar to what is going on in our verses today.. Paul knows full well that the Jews had for the most part been unfaithful. They were a terrible example to the rest of the world. What is Paul's response? The faithlessness of man does not nullify the faithfulness of God. This throws out the world's biggest argument against Christianity. People reject Christ because they have met unfaithful Christians Suppose every single Christian you ever met wa...

Romans 3:1–2 [1] Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? [2] Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. (ESV) In the previous verses the Apostle Paul has been pretty harsh on his own people. He has pointed out that many of the Jews were nothing but hypocrites. They received the Law and held that fact over the heads of their Gentile counterparts. Instead of themselves obeying the Law, they lived just as ungodly as the Gentiles they were judging. So, what advantage is there in being a Jew? That is a fair question. The Jews have suffered more persecution than any people group in the history of the world. Even after the terrible holocaust in the last century we still see the Jews fighting for their lives in the Middle East. Anti-semitism seems like it will never go away. So, what is the advantage? Paul answers his own question. There is much advantage! The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What does...

Romans 2:29 [29] But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (ESV) When we think of what defines being a Jew we might be missing the point of what Paul is saying in this verse. We can consider people being descendants of those born in Israel. We can think of those who celebrate Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays. We can even think of the covenant that God made with Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. Abraham was the father of all the Jews. While the Jews were very proud of their lineage a Jew is more than just a physical descendant of Abraham. Paul is saying that a true Jew is one inwardly. Being a descendant of Abraham, celebrating feasts, attempting to keep the Law, or even the physical act of circumcision does not make one a true Jew. It is a matter of the heart. This fact of faith being a matter of the heart and not physical works is one that was lost on m...