Thursday, 16 May 2013

Romans 3:7-8 // Paul In Defamation Case

Based on Romans 3:7-8

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 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.

The previous verses explained that in the interests of justice, God must judge sinners. 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11) The evil committed by sinners and their eventual acknowledgement of this shows the righteousness of God to men and angels And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) so sin is ultimately beneficial to everyone. Well, everyone except those that commit it, they are punished. So in a moral system that benefits from the work of sinners, why are sinners punished? Well, they work for wages For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) which most of them seem quite content with, I don't know why. But who is their employer? I think verse 8 is useful to determine that.
Paul preached salvation by grace. Although Martin Luther was a great reformer and did great good, he would have benefited from a careful reading of Romans 3:8. Luther reputedly said he sometimes sinned on purpose to remind himself he was saved by grace, and recommended this to others. Paul was accused of a similar teaching, Paul saw this as slander against his ministry. Paul did not teach that sin could be a good thing. Paul upheld God's moral law as the standard that reveals the depth of our sin so we will come to Christ for the help we need. Satan leads men to sin, not God, but God pays the bill. This analogy isn't going anywhere, so best leave it at that.
There were church members that falsely accused Paul of false teaching and even claimed to have heard him teach it. According to the Bible such people are worthy of condemnation in the judgment. You may be discouraged by the imperfections of people in your church, Paul's church was very imperfect. If your church teaches differently to the Bible then consider leaving; but if individuals within it seem unconverted, though they may be preachers, just think of ways you can serve God yourself.

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