Faithful In Spite of No Faith
For the life of me I can’t understand why some people try to run away from the idea that God will judge sin and sinners. Romans 2 seems to be evidence enough but Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wants to be sure that we don’t miss the point so he presses in at the beginning of chapter 3. Here are the first eight verses: “What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? 2 Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? 4 Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.” 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) 6 Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 8 And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.” I find this passage a little difficult to summarize in a brief devotional post. The beginning seems to tell us that the Jews had a great advantage in the fact that they had the law of God. But if some of them did not believe, their unbelief is not a black mark on God. Their unwillingness to take advantage of their covenantal relationship with Him doesn’t diminish God in any way. I think about this at times when I think about people who have been brought up in the church or those who have had wonderful exposure to the truth of the gospel…and still reject it. That’s not a black mark on God. That’s all on those who have refused. It exposes the sinfulness of man. Despite their advantage, they still choose to walk away from Christ. Despite their lack of faith God is still faithful. We all know those who seem to have an advantage in “faith” but who reject anyway. Perhaps you could take a moment to pray for those children, young adults and old adults who seem to have thrown away that advantage. As long as they are breathing, there is still hope.