As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace.” “They have no fear of God at all.” Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.
Romans 3:10-19
How many times does Paul have to say it?
- No one is righteous—not even one
- No one does good, not a single one
- . . . the entire world is guilty before God.
All leading up to his classic comment in Romans 3:23 that many of us have learned and can quote by heart. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Take note of Paul’s use of the pronouns: they / them, you, we / I / us. It would pay you to use E-Sword and highlight in a different colour the use of the pronouns. 1st person singular and plural one colour, 2nd person singular and plural another colour and finally third person singular and plural yet another colour. [essentially the pattern is Chapter 1 – they. Chapter 2 – you. Chapter 3 – we]
Paul brings it closer and closer to home.
Paul attacks Jewish immunity. No one has Diplomatic Immunity before God. we are all in the same boat before God. We are fit only for judgement. Our righteousness before Him is as filthy rages. (Isa 64:6) and that is without applying the law as Jesus does. Jesus came to fulfil the law to top it up. To make it complete in its application.
“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I didn’t come to destroy them, but to fulfill them. Mat 5:17
For I tell you, unless your righteousness greatly exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!” Mat 5:20
“You have heard that it was said to those who lived long ago, ‘You must not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders will be subject to punishment.’ Mat 5:21
But I say to you, anyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be subject to punishment. And whoever says to his brother ‘Raka!’ will be subject to the Council. And whoever says ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hell fire. Mat 5:22
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ Mat 5:27
But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Mat 5:28
Allow me to repeat Paul’s words again – “The entire world (the whole human race) is guilty before God.” What a predicament! What are we going to do?
You can’t learn to trust God by hearing how your friend trusts Him. Take the step of faith and trust for yourself; You’ll grow.
Anon