God’s Faithfulness Is Not Conditional
Romans 3:3-4 (NIV)
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!…” – Romans 3:3-4 (NIV)
In Romans 3:1-2, Paul explains that one race of people will not escape judgment merely because of who they are, in this case, the Jews. This is because no one can think their belief and/or customs is superior to another. We all must be able to keep the commandments of God, including those entrusted with the Words of God (Verse 2).
Paul then asked the question of whether God will continue to be faithful to His covenant even though the people to whom He has bound Himself in a covenant relationship have rejected this bond by their unfaithfulness (Verse 3). The simple answer is that God is always faithful to His Word (Deuteronomy 7:9). Any suggestion that God might not uphold His end of the covenant is outrageous. Our Holy Creator is always true. He’s not a man that He could lie (Numbers 23:19).
However, this now raises the question as to what God’s faithfulness truly means in relation to His covenant. God promised great blessing to the Israelites (Genesis 12:1-3), and so under the old covenant, the Israelites rightly linked divine faithfulness with God’s blessing upon them. They, however, ignored the double-edged sword of the Lord’s promises, for God also promised Abraham that He would cut off those who did not keep His covenant (Genesis 17:14), which ultimately means judgement on those who are uncircumcised (in heart) (Romans 2:25-29).
The only way God can be faithful to His covenant is to judge sinners, Jews, and Gentiles alike. No one has any advantage; we are all alike under the power of sin (Romans 3:9). His faithfulness is not conditional since no one is righteous. God judges sin.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we are grateful for Your faithfulness even when we don’t do our part in staying faithful. Thank you that in Christ, we are rescued from judgement. Thank You, oh God, that understanding the Gospel starts with knowing that You, being a Holy God, cannot be faithful to Your Word without judging our sins. Thank you for keeping Your word. We repent of our sins and our unfaithfulness and strive to be faithful, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Psalm 71:22; 2 Timothy 12-13
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 6:1-11; Mark 8:14-38; Mark 9:1; Exodus 37; Exodus 38
