Lesson 4717

(Lesson 4717 (01-03-25) Romans 3:19-20 

   “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” 

 

   In Romans 3:19-20 (NKJV), Paul explained that the law was given to make people aware of their sin, but no one can be justified (declared righteous) by obeying the law. He emphasized that all the law does is reveal that everyone is accountable to God, and it shows that no one can meet God's perfect standard through their own efforts. Obedience to the law, no matter how diligent, does not qualify anyone for the perfection required to enter heaven. The only righteousness that qualifies is the righteousness that is imputed to a person when they put their faith in Jesus Christ. This is confirmed in passages such as Romans 3:22, which states, "even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe." Also, Romans 5:1 teaches that "having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Finally, Philippians 3:9 emphasizes that righteousness comes "through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith." This righteousness is not based on works of the law, but on the completed work of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law perfectly on behalf of all believers. ~ 

  

Lesson 4716

 (Lesson 4716)(01-02-25) Romans 3:1-18 

   “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul addressed questions about the value of being a Jew and the role of the law to everyone. He explained that having the law was a great advantage because it provided the knowledge of God's will and His promises, particularly through the Scriptures. However, Paul acknowledged that humans are almost always unfaithful, but emphasized that God remains faithful, even if people’s unfaithfulness highlights His righteousness. He argued that God's judgment is just and that all have sinned, both Jews and Gentiles, as it is written that no one is righteous, not even one. Paul cited various Scriptures to show that everyone has turned away from God and that there is no one who does good, making the case that all are under sin. ~ 

Lesson 4715

(Lesson 4715)(01-01-25) Romans 2:17-29 

   “Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” 

 

  In today’s quote, Paul addressed the Jews who wrapped themselves in the law and bragged about their heritage. He reminded them that possessing the law and simply being circumcised a Jew did not make them righteous before God. He pointed out that merely hearing the law was not enough; obeying it is essential to the will of God. Paul emphasized that true circumcision (Judaism) is not physical, but a matter of the heart, instilled by the Spirit, not by the letter of the law. He criticized the hypocrisy of those who taught the law but did not live by it, and he affirmed that true Jewishness (being God’s chosen people) comes from an inward transformation, not outward rituals, and that those who practice what they preach receive recognition from God. How a person appears to people matters not at all. ~