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Daily Devotions

Romans

Romans 
Day 
Day 50

"Is God unjust who inflicts wrath?"

Text: Romans 3:5

THE UNRIGHTEOUSNESS OF MAN

That man is unrighteous is a forgone conclusion. The psalmist David, contemplating on the state of man, on one occasion had this to say.

“The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good; No, not one.”
Psalm 14:2-3

THE STARK CONTRAST

When we put the unrighteousness of man side by side with the righteousness of God, what do we get?

“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates
the righteousness of God, what shall we say?
Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man).”
Romans 3:5

1. The unrighteousness of man

a) We begin with accepting that man is unrighteous.
b) We then must accept that God, being Holy, is righteous.
c) The unrighteousness of man would then demonstrate the righteousness of god!

2. I speak as a man

a) Using human logic, can it be said that the unrighteousness of man is “a good thing” because it makes God’s righteousness stand out even more significantly?
b) If this is accepted, then God should not be angry with man!
c) God should also not inflict His wrath upon man!
d) Would God not appear unjust if He were to judge man in His wrath?

PERVERSE REASONING REJECTED

Paul was aware that some thought in this manner! Of course this line of reasoning must be rejected outright!

1. Does God need man’s unrighteousness to display His righteousness?

The answer is an obvious “NO!”

2. God’s righteousness is displayed in His faithful dealings with both Jew and Gentile.