The Sinfulness of All Men – Youth STS Lesson 231

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 3:23, 24 (Memory Verse)

Introduction

In chapter two of the book of Romans, we looked at God’s impartial judgment on those who disobey His law. The Jews who relied on the law and their relationship with God were proved “inexcusable” before Him (Romans 2:1, 17-24). Our text deals with the place and purpose of the law in God’s plan for man’s righteousness. The law was given to reveal the utter sinfulness of man. Paul, in his writing, shows by inspiration, the helpless state of man in relation to keeping the law as the way to God. Logically, he proved that man cannot obtain the righteousness of God by keeping the law. Therefore, both the Jews and the Gentiles cannot be justified by works or religious deeds. Justification is made possible and obtained through the grace of God by faith in the righteousness of Christ only. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:28, 31).

SALVATION THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

Romans 3:1-8; Deuteronomy 4:6-8; John 4:22; Hebrews 4:2; Psalm 51:1-7

“What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” (Romans 3:1, 2). Though the law could not save from sin, it points the Jews to salvation. While the Gentiles knew little or nothing about God, “unto them (the Jews) were committed the oracles of God”. God chose Abraham and made a covenant with him to establish a peculiar nation through him. He continued His dealings with the children of Abraham who called upon Him; He instituted the oracles (divine inspiration and ordinances) for them. Thus put, the Jews had an advantaged position over the Gentiles. Christ confirmed this when He told the woman by the well that “Salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22).

Unfortunately, their attitude towards the Scriptures and the workings of God was one of unbelief. Unbelief was their greatest stumbling block and their worst enemy, the result of their failure to understand the Scriptures and the plan of God. But their unbelief could not cancel the faithfulness and sincerity of God. God remains true to the fulfilment of His promises to His people, while bringing His truth upon unbelievers.

God’s promises are made to believers only; therefore, the unbeliever cannot make God’s faithfulness of none effect. He will fulfil His promises to His people and bring His truth upon unbelievers.

Question 1: Why does a youth need to go to God for salvation?

“For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:6). The Scripture declares that all men are destined to be punished on the judgment day (2 Peter 2:9). There is hope for sinning youths “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Christ has made provision for salvation; therefore, their prayer should be: “Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me” (Psalm 71:2). There is a wide difference between righteousness and sin. God alone can give true righteousness to any willing seeker and make him/her free from sin. This should make sinning youths seek God as the only Author of salvation. You should not make light of this, but “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18).

THE SINFULNESS AND GUILT OF THE GODLESS

Romans 3:9-20; Galatians 3:21, 22; Psalm 14:1-3; Isaiah 59:1-8, 12, 13; Romans 1:28-32; Isaiah 53:6; 64:6; Romans 3:23

The fall of man, in the Garden of Eden, brought the knowledge of sin. From then, the knowledge of sin in man brought him into various shades and kinds of evil practices whether Jews or Gentiles, all are affected – all are sinners. “As it is written, there is none righteous, – no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no not one” (Romans 3:10-12).

Question 2: What are some evil practices that characterise the life of sinners?

Our text clearly enumerates the sinful actions or activities that are evident in the life of a sinner. The Scripture says, “There is none righteous, no, not one”, implying the universal depravity of mankind, both young and old, who are under the bondage of sin. A sinner does not understand the ways of God neither does he seek Him. Sinners are all gone out of the way of uprightness and consequently become unprofitable before God. Their throat is like an open sepulchre that is left open, and they issue from their tongues lies and deception. Poisonous words are issued through their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing, and bitter words flow out of them without any sense of guilt.

Their feet are quick to commit bloody acts either through abortion, cult activities or violence. Their thoughts are destructive, aimed at bringing misery on their victims. They are void of the life of peace as they delight in replacing it with trouble and violence. All these point to one thing: “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:18).

Question 3: What does the fear of God do in the life of a Christian youth?

“By mercy and truth, iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). The absence of godly fear and reverence for God’s word account for why sinning youths are careless about their sinfulness and thoughtless about the consequences of the same. On the other hand, Christian youths, whose past sins and iniquities have been purged by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, possess godly fear which make them depart from evil. Any youth who perpetually commits sin is void of the fear of God in his heart.

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19). The sinfulness of man makes him guilty before the just God. All men, whether Jews or Gentiles are guilty before God and deserve nothing but punishment. Man’s sinful state is a hopeless one without Christ. This is because he is under the burden of sin. He is a sinner both by principle (nature) and practice (actions). The more he tries to free himself or get rid of sin by trying to keep the law, the deeper he sinks in sinfulness as sin actively resides in his being. He is under the government and dominion of sin as a slave.

Question 4: Mention some religious activities practised by youths to replace freedom from sins.

“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). Some youths erroneously think that alms giving, infant baptism, regular church attendance, bearing Christian names, reading the Bible and being nice to people, without genuine repentance from sin, can justify them. Others, like the Jews, believe that obeying the Ten Commandments is the sure way to be justified. The truth is that the law in itself cannot save. The sinful nature in man makes it absolutely impossible for man to completely obey the law of God. Obedience to the law of Moses cannot make one righteous. But faith in Christ and obedience to the totality of God’s word bring one into the righteousness of God. “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe” (Galatians 3:21, 22).

SALVATION AND RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH

Romans 3:21-31; 6:1, 2; 5:1, 2; Galatians 5:1; Psalm 32:1, 2; Ephesians 2:1-9; Micah 7:18, 19; Romans 10:13; Titus 2:11

Salvation and true righteousness come only by Christ. But a sinner must express faith in Christ and His work of atonement. Through Christ, the righteousness of God is made manifest. The faith that justifies and obtains righteousness is that which accepts Christ as the only Saviour and Source of true righteousness. Justification, therefore, comes by faith in Christ.

Question 5: What do you understand by justification?

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23, 24). Justification is God’s grace through which a sinner receives forgiveness and remission of all sins and is counted righteous before God. This is built on the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. By this, the repentant sinner is cleared of the guilt of sin and stands before God as though he had never sinned. Justification is not obtained by works or deeds of the law, but absolutely by Christ’s substitutional death at Calvary.

Question 6: How should sinning youths respond to Christ’s death?

Sinning youths should come to God by faith. They should repent of their sinful ways; accept Christ into their hearts by faith; and believe in His redemptive work at Calvary. “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of work? Nay: but by the law of faith” (Romans 3:27). There is no place for boasting since no one could be saved by his own work. Justification was purely a divine initiative. God conceived and concluded the plan of man’s redemption and justification. We cannot earn or merit salvation. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). If we were saved by our own works, boasting would not be excluded. “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deed of the law” (Romans 3:28).

Justification is available for all – young and old, black and white, Jews and Gentiles. Faith in Christ, with genuine repentance, is the only condition for it. A youth in the rural area can be truly saved just as a youth in the city or urban area. God is not a respecter of persons.

Question 7: Should Christian youths live lawless lifestyles because they are saved by grace and not by works?

“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law” (Romans 3:31). The coming in of grace and the imparted righteousness of God enable and empower believers to live a lawful life. They obey the laws of God, as well as civil laws of the country. The grace of God does not make us irresponsible as some so-called Christians presume. As a matter of fact, the opposite is the case. Grace teaches us to shun ungodliness and worldly lust. It teaches us to live righteously, soberly and godly in this present evil and lawless world.