Observations:
Paul follows from yesterday with a statement that there is still some benefit to having been a Jew or having been circumcised. (Remember, Paul was laying into the hypocrisy of those who had the law and were physically circumcised, but were living contrary to the law, stating how they were, in essence, uncircumcised).
The first benefit is that the Jews were entrusted with the word of God. So what if some of the Jews were unfaithful. Does their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness? (Similarly, does a Christian's non-Christlikeness negate the nature of Christ?) No. In fact, Paul goes so far as to say, "Let God be true though everyone were a liar."
"If our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say, that God is unrighteous for judging us?" Before I interject, wait for Paul's answer.
"By no means! For then, how could God judge the world?"
If God is perfectly righteous and perfectly just, there is no way he cannot punish unrighteousness. Once again, our false perception of innate human goodness skews our perception of God. We deserve nothing but death from God. The fact that God has made redemption possible is astounding enough as it is.
Following this, Paul raises a couple questions in a Devil's advocate manner:
- "But if through my lie, God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner?"
- "And why not do evil that good may come?"
These are actually questions Christians at the time had been accused of asking.
Now, yes, Paul answers these questions later, but I would ask these questions: If we have repented and committed to following Christ, how could we willingly and intentionally commit sin? How could we tolerate or even enjoy sinning?
So, God works despite our failures and His nature is highlighted by our flaws, but that does not give us license to engage in sin. Let me refer you to yesterday's passage (which I was too tired to do justice). Read vv 17-24. In claiming allegiance to God and engaging in sin, you dishonour God and blaspheme His name amongst the unsaved, turning them away from the gospel
Application:
Seek God first.
Seek to honour God. If I fail, then I fail, but I will not engage willingly in sin. I will constantly seek God.
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