ROMANS: "By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin!"

But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? 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. (Romans 3:5-8)

Paul continued from the previous lesson by explaining that some Jews were actually lying that he and the other apostles were teaching that the Jews could do whatever they wanted because they were God's chosen people.  Another translation states it this way:  “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned. (Romans 3:5-8 NLT)

It's amazing how people can take a simple truth, and create such a false teaching of God's Word.  It's happened to all of us, where someone has taken something we've said out of context and made it sound totally different than what we originally said. Truth be told, we all have done the same thing probably.  These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Psalm 16:16-19)

So back to Paul's point, that the Jews are no better than non-Jews, because of the fact that we all are sinners.  What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks [non-Jews] that they are all under sin. As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one;

There is none who understands;

There is none who seeks after God.

They have all turned aside;

They have together become unprofitable;

There is none who does good, no, not one.” [Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20]

“Their throat is an open tomb;

With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; [Psalm 5:9]

“The poison of asps is under their lips”; [Romans 140:3]

“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” [Psalm 110:7]

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

Destruction and misery are in their ways;

And the way of peace they have not known.” [Isaiah 59:7-8]

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” [Psalm 36:1] (Romans 3:9-18)

The above verses describe the condition of all mankind in our natural state.  On our own, we are not righteous, not understanding, don't seek after God, all turn away from God, unprofitable, nor does our good account for anything.  We speak empty words, lie, curse, murder people physically and their character, can not live in peace and don't fear God.  BUT, O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25)

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. (Romans 3:1-2)  The Jews were better off than non-Jews because they knew God's Word, they knew right from wrong.  God had sanctified them, set them apart to be a holy people unto Himself, so that He could reveal His holiness to the whole world.  They had the law so they should have been a perfect example to the world.  Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:19-20)

Now, we all have this knowledge of sin, and it should convict us that we all are sinners and on our own, we cannot meet God's holy requirements to be reconciled to Him. Jesus prayed to God to "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." (John 17:17) And ...if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [Deuteronomy 32:35] says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” [Deuteronomy 32:36] It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:26-31) AMEN!