Romans 3:12-21 Our Sinful Nature
Hi and welcome back. I hope you’re learning as much as I am through this study.
I had taken some notes before on Romans. I’ve looked back at them and realized how lacking my last study of Romans was. It’s nice to look back and look at the Spiritual growth in your life since you’ve come to know the Lord. I hope this study will encourage you to look even deeper into God’s word.
Today we are going to pick up where we left off in Romans chapter 3. The last verse we looked at was verse 11, which reads,
no one understands; no one seeks for God.
Under our own power no one will seek God.
It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will seek Him. The nature of our flesh leads us to be self-absorbed and self-centered. We have no desire to draw near to God. Paul goes on to explain in verse 12 the consequences of not seeking God.
Romans 3:12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.
Paul is quoting from Psalm 14. Verse one reads, The fool says in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good.
Paul elaborates in Romans verses 13 through 18 as to what those abominable deeds are.
Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips.Romans 3:14 Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.
So often we speak before we think.
Our anger causes us to lash out. When we are hurt our first instinct is to inflict hurt on others with our verbal assaults. Verbal abuse can be more detrimental to someone than any physical cruelty. Yes the tongue is a small member but it can be lethal when used carelessly.
James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Continuing on with, Romans 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; Romans 3:16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
This commentary of human degradation is directed at Jews and gentiles alike.
Paul’s list of the detestable actions of sinful man is far from complete. Paul could have included so many other sinful acts. Everything from sexual impurity to the atrocities of genocide.
Romans 3:17 and the way of peace they have not known.
There has never been total peace worldwide.
It is a sad commentary on our civilization that death and destruction have become so commonplace. Everything from territorial disputes to economic gain have triggered a rush to arms. So when will we have total peace?
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.
The second coming of the Lord will be heralded by His dwelling with man.
They will be His people and He will be their God. This will be a time when all wrongs are put right. Sorrow and pain shall be no more. There will be Joy, and peace will abound. The Prince of Peace shall reign among us.
Romans 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Through lack of fear of God, our sinful nature knows no bounds.
How many of you know that the fear of God is a good thing. Fear is your friend.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Fear as used in this context has the additional meaning of to stand in awe of, to reverence, honor and respect.
If we fear, honor and respect God we will want to keep His commandments. If we look at fear in this context our regret for our sinful actions will be magnified if we fail to keep His commandments. That’s not a bad thing.
Those who are living in the world have very few regrets for their actions.
They will cast blame, deny or justify those actions. Their lack of fear leads them to do what is displeasing in God’s eyes.
Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
If we fear the Lord we will want to meditate on His word so that we may get to know Him better.
We will want to keep His commandments, we will want to know what is pleasing in His eyes. Out of our fear will come understanding. Again this is not a cowering fear but a fear that is based on reverence and respect.
Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.
Those that are under the law refers to the Jews.
But this law is relevant to both Jew and gentile. The law makes us aware of our sinful nature. The law holds us accountable to God.
Romans 3:20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
The law cannot save us from sin.
It’s only job is to convict us of sin. We are not justified by any works of the law. When we share the gospel with others our first duty is to present the law so that they may not only feel conviction for their actions but that they are made aware of their sinful nature. That they are made aware that there is none good, no not one.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—
We are now getting to the essence of the letter to the Romans.
Paul says that God’s righteousness has been revealed and it is not through keeping the law. The prophets foretold the sacrificial system or the shedding of blood for the atonement of sin. They gave a glimpse of the coming Messiah.
Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
I think this will be a good place to stop. I look forward to sharing God’s word with you next week. Until then may God continue to bless you and your family in whatever way God would have you serve.