Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Part 5: Verdict: Guilty

Romans 3:9-20

Having spent considerable time diagnosing the human condition before God, Paul now proceeds to render a final verdict. This section is not about giving more evidence or argumentation. It is a straightforward descriptive summary of how God views mankind. It is not pretty.

Men are unrighteous because they do not seek after God. They have turned away from Him, becoming worthless in the process. Because of this separation from God, we are incapable of doing good, as measured by God’s standard. Men are deceptive, vicious, violent, destructive, and combative. Ultimately, the driving force behind all of this is that man does not have any fear of God. We thumb our noses at the most powerful being in the universe and stroll along, carelessly “whistling in the wind.”

Paul goes on to point out that the purpose of the Law is to reveal the condition he has just described. The Law provides men with a comprehensive list of what it would actually take to measure up to God’s standard. Upon viewing these stringent requirements, the inevitable result is that man will have nothing left to say in his defense.

This terrible litany of evil describes every one of us, apart from Christ. Most people do not think of themselves in these harsh and unforgiving terms. But, it is critical that we understand just exactly how much worth we actually have before God; none. Yet, the purpose of such a realization is not depression or despair. Rather, we should take this information and use it as a catalyst to run into the arms of the only person who can help us; Jesus.