Romans 3:1-4 (NIV)
1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision?
2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness?
4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge."

Paul has started his 'diatribe' as John Stott reminds us in his book on Romans. Paul has two major audiences he has to address and they are the gentiles and then the Jews. Paul is a Jew so this question and then answer approach he uses is more than likely the objections he raised in his own mine as a Jewish teacher. If he did not raise them then in all likely hood he heard these objections when he would be in a synagogue evangelizing the Jews. The first objection to all he has been saying is what advantage is it to be a Jew? If the Jews and the gentiles are both going to be judged then what about all the promises given to the Jews by God almighty. Perhaps someone today may say, "what advantage is it to be raised in the church and be baptized?" The bottom line no one has any real advantage is they do not take advantage of what has been given to them. The gentiles and the Jews have all of creation to witness and to see and understand to some degree the power of God. It is to no ones advantage if the witnesses of His power do not not seek Him out. The Jews had been given a leg up. They not only could see His creation but they had His words given to them by their prophets. The problem with most people and not just the Jews is we do not take advantage of the advantages, but rather squander the assets that has been given to us.



Paul then raises the issue of faith as if our neglect could somehow hurt the faithfulness of God. In other words the very people that God chose to inherit His promises and in particular the promises concerning the Messiah, could in fact turn their backs on God then what about God and His faithfulness. God did not do a very good job of keeping His own people in line so He must of been asleep at the wheel. Of course the argument is put out there in order to justify their behavior towards God. I haven't been that good in obeying God, but if I as a Jew will be cut off then that diminishes God's faithfulness, therefore even as a bad Jew I still uphold the faithfulness of God. Paul answers that with verse four, "Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: "So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge." The problem with the argument they are putting forward is that it totally man centered and not God centered. Paul calls us out and says we are the liars and not God.



Are you taking advantage of the grace of God and all that God has given to you?