God’s Righteousness and Our Sin | Romans 3:5 Devotional

“But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us?” —ROMANS 3:5

If we are in Christ, we have received the remarkable gift and blessing of God’s indwelling Spirit. One of the first indications of this is that we have a hunger and thirst for the righteousness of God. As we pursue righteousness, our capacity to sin becomes greater for the simple reason that the more we know, the less excuse we have to sin. 

Every new teaching on conduct and attitude we learn, creates the potential for more sin. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48). Being a Christian is being reconciled to God where we freely enjoy the security we have in our relationship with Him, but because we have been entrusted with the word of God, we are to be to others the “salt of the earth and light of the world”.

Many have the misguided impression that because they have a right standing before God their sin is not so bad, but actually the sins of Christians are far more significant than the sins of the world at large. We are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ for a different quality of living in which the character of Jesus Christ is reproduced in us and expressed through us. But more than that, when we sin it is God who is blasphemed. Paul says of the Jews, “As it is written: God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you” (Romans 2:24).

The world is not naïve. When we sin, it says, “Really? And that’s Christian? Why would I be interested in your God?” Being sinless is not an option, but we have the indwelling presence of Christ who is our empowering to live a godly life. Or we have an increased capacity to disobey and there are ludicrous excuses Christians will give. Paul writes, “Someone might argue, ‘If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increase his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?’” (Romans 3:7). Paul treats this argument with contempt. “Their condemnation is deserved,” he says.” (3:8).

There is a day of judgment coming for believers and a day of loss for believers. Our works will be judged and will either be like wood, hay and stubble, which will all burn up in the fire, or will be like gold, silver and precious stones refined by the fire. A genuine love for Christ is seen in our willingness to seek His righteousness and to work out through us what He has worked in us so that we may become “salt of the earth and light of the world”.

Dear Lord Jesus, I want my life to be a reflection of your character and ask for a fresh and deep work of your Spirit in transforming me to your likeness. Thank You, Lord.

Am I working out in my life what Christ has worked in?