Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

Crazy Grace: Bad News for Good People

In Romans 3, the apostle Paul answers four common objections to Christianity, which we will look at over these next few days. The first is in verses 1–2: There is no benefit to church involvement. People outside of the church, peering in on those of us who are in the church, are coming to this conclusion. The basic argument is this: “I’ve met some of those people who go to church, and they’re no better than me. If it doesn’t work for them, why would I try something that isn’t working?”

“What advantage has the Jew?” Paul is talking about the person who grows up in faith, church, prayer, and Scripture. There’s a familiarity with the God of the Bible. “What is the value of circumcision?” This practice was the Jews’ external demonstration of an internal transformation. For us, it would be our equivalent of something like baptism—publicly identifying who your God is.

In the New Testament period, racial and cultural divisions between Jews and Gentiles ran deep. They did not intermarry, worship together, or care much about each other. Jewish people thought We’re the good people and the Gentiles are the bad people. On the other hand, Gentiles thought, No, we’re the good people, and the Jews are the bad people. But God said, “You’re all the bad people. My Son, Jesus Christ, is the only good person.” That’s how God sees history and humanity. Jesus saved and the Holy Spirit filled both Jews and Gentiles, bringing them together as God’s family—the Church. Since they both had the grace of God and the power of the Spirit, the question was then raised about what benefit it was to be a Jewish believer. To ask it in today’s terms, what good does it do to grow up in church?

“The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.” That means Jews were blessed with the Word of God. How does this apply to believers today? The Bible says God is a Father, and for those who seek to obey Him, He will bless and help them. For those who rebel, He will not.

The purpose of the Bible is twofold:

1. It improves your everyday life. If you believe the Bible and obey it, it makes a difference in your everyday life.

2. Its truth grants you eternal life. The Bible introduces you to the truth of Jesus Christ, so He can be your Savior and grant you eternal life. (Continued on Day 69 ...)

Today’s Reflection

Whom have you judged as the “bad people”?