Romans 3.1-8
Okay, it’s Tuesday, which means it is blogger small group time. Link up at Run’n Like a Vagabond to see the rest of the posts.
We are getting into some of the meaty sections of Romans and this week we begin with the first eight verses of Romans three.
Original understanding (what those guys heard a long time ago):
The apostle begins by addressing some questions and conclusions he is certain his recipients will draw. Paul asks what advantage there is in being a Jew, and the audience would immediately reply nothing after hearing the first two sections of the letter where Paul spells out quite plainly that God shows no favoritism for the Jew or the Gentile. But, he surprises us and says boldly that in fact there is an “advantage,”…only it comes back around to bite em in the rear. His point will be in his letter that because the Jews were given the word of God, then basically they should have known better.
Verse three points out that even though Israel continued to fail, God always remained faithful and never let go of His end of the bargain (or covenant if you’d like to use the original language). He is perfectly sovereign, a continual theme throughout the letter.
Now, the big argument developed in five through eight. This basically comes down to, “Hey, why is God going to condemn and judge me? My unrighteousness only brings greater attention to His righteousness. So then, my sin is really a good thing in a sense as long as it brings good.” That was the human argument to which Paul was referring. The Jews believed that God was going to give them immunity because of the covenant previously mentioned. They were sadly mistaken. By having the covenant, they should have known the consequences of breaking it. This is the same argument that many people use today when speaking on grace. Just a heads up, Paul comes back to this argument later and gives an even stronger no.
Paul is disgusted by this argument. He emphatically states that these people deserve condemnation.
Modern Understanding (what we ought to be hearing):
I have the word. I am in the new covenant. My sinfulness does point to God’s righteousness and perfection. This is no excuse or pass for my sin. While my salvation is secured by His grace, my relationship and growth depend on my committment to the relationship and my growth. I do not have a free pass.
Personal Experience (how this affects me):
I lived this at one point in my life. My personal experience was a life of extreme discipline (that’s what I called it, but it was actually a ridiculous level of legalism). Then, through several people who were discipling me as well as several books I read, I discovered grace…or what I thought it meant. I was enamored with it. The only problem was that I took it too far and took it wrong. I was the Israelite saying, “But God’s grace is so big.” Through those same disciplers and same books (as well as a few more) I realized more deeply what grace was and I began to understand my role in this relationship. Again, I do not get a pass.
So, what are your thoughts on this? Anyone been where I’ve been?
Heath
Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 6:40 am
So what your saying is you went from one extreme of righteousness to the other and you have landed some where in the middle? What does grace mean to you now? What is your role?
Sorry for all of the questions but your last paragraph didn’t close any loops for me it just opened them up.
Heaths last blog post..Romans Chapter 3 1-8
Scott Fillmer
Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 6:51 am
I think we have all been there one way or another, but some of us may not even recognize it or know where we are without what you said, someone disciplining us. I think something that you bring up is we don’t need the legalism or to go to the other extreme, we need personal conviction.
@heath it opens up loops for you because you might be looking for exact formulas on how to live the Christian life, or at least that is what many of us do. Personal conviction is what I believe God is looking for. Where is your heart, it is open to the instruction of God, if so, follow where God leads you in your walk. To me, the biggest thing was listening.
Nice post b/
Brian Johnson
Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 6:56 am
I didn’t go from one extreme of righteousness to another I don’t think. What I meant was that I went from one extreme of my understanding of grace. I can see how this would imply that I went from doing all good things to just sinning like crazy. I apologize. That’s not what I meant.
What I meant was that I took grace for granted, moreover, I took my personal responsibility in the process for granted.
Grace covers me and keeps me in relationship though I continue to struggle with the old self that has been crucified. He keeps wanting to come back from the dead. My role is to continue to seek proper and right relationship with Jesus. This in turn will lead me away from sin, and more into His arms where I will not desire the things of this world. But, there is no formula are pre-scripted way of going about this process of walking towards His arms and away from my desires which lead to sin. I just have to continually seek Him daily and understand that there is no condemnation when I fall, but grace to cover the blemish and grace to help me walk forward. But, I must never have the attitude, I’m covered by grace, I don’t need to worry about this problem or this issue I’m dealing with. I have a part in this relationship.
Kyle
Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 2:31 pm
Favorite thing you said: “This is no excuse or pass for my sin.”
How many times have I done this, not even purposely. Or how many times have I witnessed other christians do this. They say, “Our god is a grace giving, loving god, so my sin is forgiven.” They don’t feel bad about it, and sometimes don’t even repent, believing that God’s grace is always available even if not asked for. We forget so many times that we are to come to God with our sins, even though he knows them already, and we are to admit to Him, confess, acknowledge that we are aware of what he already knows, and ask for forgiveness. It’s an act of humility and an act of worship through saying, “God I need you. Alone I am not enough.”
Awesome stuff. I enjoy the broken down scripture. It makes feedback easier and discussion is more likely to take place. Thanks for the suggestions and the obedience in what you felt would be beneficial to God and to us learning His truth.
Kyles last blog post..Blogger Small Group
JenL
Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at 5:52 pm
Have I been there? Yeah. Most definitely.
I think the thing that helped me the most balancing God’s grace extended to me and my “works” was realizing that I didn’t work FOR the grace, but did deeds of righteousness as a response TO that grace…
It was an eye opening moment when I realized that while I *could* choose to act in a way that flaunted that grace, I would not and could not be happy living on the edge like that. One foot in the Kingdom and one in the Old Life is a recipe for disaster for me.
JenLs last blog post..Blogger Small Group : Romans 3:1-8