"Basically Bad" October 27 Readings: Romans 2:1-3:20

Today's Reading - Romans 2:1-3:20

Background

After setting the key theme in the introduction, "the just will live by faith," Paul systematically goes through the truth of Christ's saving work. After having established the world's depravity in chapter 1, he expands on that in chapter 2, explaining that even the religious are not righteous by their works. Then, summing it up in verses 11-20, he concludes that all are under sin - what is often called the doctrine of depravity. It is not a hopeful view of the human condition. But it sets the basis for salvation by grace through faith. We need Christ because of our depraved and helpless human condition. 

Devotional - Basically Bad

"People are basically good." It is established as truth beyond contestation in popular culture. Politicians flatter people by trumpeting the innate goodness of man. Educational systems are designed around the assumption that people, given the opportunity and resources, will make choices that are wise and good. Parents tell their children over and over again how good they are. Your heart will never lead you astray. Do what you think is right. Trust your feelings!

The problem with all of this is Romans 3! It presents a very different picture of the human condition. It will tell us in tomorrow's reading that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. Today's reading is the foundation for that conclusion. In verse 9, Paul gives his preliminary conclusion, that Jews and Gentiles are united in sin and are thus equally under the wrath of God. He then, in verses 10-12, gets specific about this sin.

There is no one righteous, not even one.There is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.All have turned away;all alike have become useless.There is no one who does what is good,not even one.

Doesn't leave much room for debate, does it? If that isn't clear enough, then look at verses 19-20.

Now we know that whatever the law says speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. For no one will be justified in His sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Standing before God, every mouth is shut because in his presence there is no self-justification, no excuse or explanation, no wiggle room. No one is justified by their own works and all are declared sinful and subject to God's judgment. 

Not a pretty picture!

But that is not the end of the story. We are all under sin, but there is hope. Jesus did not leave us in our sin, but he worked to redeem us through his blood. Where sin abounded, grace super-abounded. We may start our lives in sin and under judgment, but we do not have to end them there. The rest of Romans 3 through chapter 11 describes this righteousness that God brings through faith in Jesus Christ.

But this conclusion, that all are under sin and judgment, is fundamental to a proper view of humanity and of life. We are not, as popular culture says, good on our own. We cannot trust ourselves, our feelings or our own convictions. We must trust Christ. When we follow our hearts they will lead us astray. 

We have been broken by sin and must be fixed by God. You won't get popular in America by preaching this, but it is true nonetheless. Our lives are marred by our general sinful condition and the specific sins we have chosen and we must be corrected, must be restored. First, we need redemption from Christ and his work on the Cross. Then we need the constant ministry and work of the Spirit inside us battling sin and producing the character of Christ. 

The fact is that sin is a reality in all of our lives and that without Christ, it will produce death and hell. But the greater fact is that through Christ, we have redemption and the power of sin is broken. Sin is real but it is not the final reality. The righteousness of Christ is. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Father, thank you that in Christ my sins have been forgiven and by the Spirit I can walk in victory over sin. 

Think and Pray

Have you bought into the worldly message of the basic goodness of humanity?
How does our treatment of people change if we believe they are sinful?
       (Note - it is not about degrading people but EVANGELIZING them)