YouTube: https://youtu.be/wFP120D-d_4
Download Audio: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTQ3OTMxNDNf
Download Video: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTQ3OTMyNjJf
Download PDF: https://od.lk/f/MV8yOTQ3OTMxNjVf
Priscilla: Romans 3:1-8
God’s Righteousness Upheld
1 What then is the superiority of the Jew? Or what the profit of circumcision?
2 Much every way. For first, indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of God.
3 For what if some did not believe? Will not their unbelief nullify the faith of God?
4 Let it not be! But let God be true, and every man a liar; even as it has been written, “That You should be justified in Your words, and will overcome in Your being judged.” LXX-Psa. 50:6; MT-Psa. 51:4
5 But if our unrighteousness commends the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who lays on wrath? I speak according to man.
6 Let it not be! Otherwise, how will God judge the world?
7 For if in my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I yet judged as a sinner?
8 And not (as we are wrongly accused, and as some report us to say), Let us do bad things so that good things may come, the judgment of whom is just.
[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]
Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer to You what I have understood through meditation on Your Word in Romans 3:1-8 about the righteousness of God that is upheld. I am grateful to You.
Dear God, I understand that You privileged the Jewish people by giving them Your Word, which is the Old Testament. Nowadays, the people of God in the age of grace who believe in the atoning death of Jesus Christ also receive the grace of Your Word, which includes both the Old and New Testaments. Therefore, You desire that Your people, after receiving Your Word, honor You, be thankful to You, carefully live by Your Word, meditate on it, and teach Your Word to others.
Dear God, I know that even if the Jewish people or anyone else does not believe in the prophetic words about the execution of Your righteous law, their unbelief cannot make Your righteousness untrue for them, and they cannot say that You are lying because You are faithful.
Dear God, I understand that the righteousness of God preached by the apostle Paul cannot be abolished if people do not believe. Whoever does not believe in the salvation given by You will receive punishment under Your law. This is the manifestation of Your righteousness. No one can oppose You without being punished, especially after rejecting Your forgiveness. You are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent, and no one can find fault with You. Whatever You do is love, holy, and righteous. You are righteous, so Your judgment is always righteous.
Dear God, those who do not believe and mock believe that their righteousness is greater than Yours. They think that “doing evil to achieve good” is worthy of praise instead of punishment. They argue that it is because of their unrighteousness that Your righteousness is manifested, and You are glorified. I believe that You do not need anyone to lie to express Your righteousness, nor do You need anyone to sin to express Your righteousness. On the contrary, their lies accuse You of lying, and their sins insult You.
Dear God, I know that You are just. You have mercy on whomever You will have mercy, and You show kindness to whomever You will show kindness. No one has the right to demand anything from You, but we can only ask You, relying on Your loving kindness. You granted the Jewish people a privilege that other nations did not have through Your freedom of choice. But thank God, I belong to Your Church. Through the grace given to me by You, and by my faith in Christ, I am saved. I am not saved by any righteous deeds of my own. For none of my deeds could be considered righteous, as I was a sinner, condemned to death. I pray that You will help me always honor Your word, so that I may be sanctified by Your love, holiness, and justice every day. May I become blameless and faultless before You and everyone else. Amen!
In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.
Priscilla Christian Huynh
03/11/2023