Romans 3

“What then, are we (Jews) superior and better off than they?” Romans 3:9
In the third chapter of Romans, Paul writes to his church in Rome and addresses the discrimination between Jews and Greeks. Paul bursts their bubble by replying “No, not at all: for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles) are all under sin.” Paul uses the term “under” to describe being under authority of someone else or something else. In this context, it means that the human race is dominated by sin. Neither of you is better.

It’s hard to admit that we are sinners. We fall into the traps of: “I’m not as bad as other people.'” I’m a faithful church member.” “I follow God’s teachings.” “I try to make the world a better place.” I need to fully embrace the truth that I am a fallen sinner. I stand guilty before God. Even when I want to do good, my sinful self turns away and does what it wants to do. Pride, complacency, and passivity can undo all of my good intentions.

Just recently I heard a group of men discussing the world’s problems over coffee. They were having quite a heated discussion. The volume kept increasing. Finally one man exclaimed, “What is wrong with this world?”

After studying this passage in Romans, I can reply, “We are!” We are what’s wrong. Society suffers because of human relations that are affected by our sinfulness. The power of sin is rupturing the world. Paul points out the effect sin has on our entire body: the throat, the tongue, and the lips (v.13); the mouth (v.14); the feet, (v.15); and the eyes, (v.18).

Sin can simply be defined as anything that we use to separate ourselves from God. Our sin can be awful, horrible things or simply things that distract us. Everything from murder to slander to greed to complacency.

God created us good – and gave us the power to choose good or bad. The wrath of God is that he leaves us with our choices and their consequences! We are all created with this capacity – capacity for good and capacity for evil. The choice is yours.

Dear Heavenly Father – Thank you for your love and my life. Help me remember my desire for you and to choose YOU in every moment and every day. Amen.

Devotion written by Janece Nelson

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