IV. What about my good works?
One might argue that they are a good and moral person, especially compared to others.
Surely God wouldn't send a relatively good person to Hell, such as someone who never
committed any heinous crimes.
Pastoral Response
Certainly virtually all people are capable of accomplishing a certain measure of
'good'. This is due to what theologians refer to as 'common grace'. However, the Bible
makes it abundantly clear that even our best works don't measure up to the perfect
standard of God's righteousness and holiness. Therefore, by nature, we are all in big
trouble with God!
Supporting Verses
Romans 3:10-20
10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11.
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12. They are all
gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good,
no, not one. 13. Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used
deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips: 14. Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and
bitterness: 15. Their feet [are] swift to shed blood: 16. Destruction and misery [are] in
their ways: 17. And the way of peace have they not known: 18. There is no fear of God
before their eyes. 19. 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. 20. 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.
Historical Context (Romans 3:10-20)
Throughout the entire book of Romans, the Apostle Paul sets forth some of the most
important doctrinal truths known to man and he does so in a systematic fashion. Even in
this passage he begins with an unequivocal declaration of the seriousness of our sin, and
concludes with an equally clear declaration of the only means of our salvation. It is also
interesting to note that because God's Word is one Book, though divided into the Old and
New Testaments, Paul quotes repeatedly from various Old Testament passages to set forth
the good news of the Gospel in this New Testament context.
Study Questions (Romans 3:10-20)
1. Does it surprise you that the Bible declares that even the best people we know are
not righteous before God?
2. What are some indications that people in modern society are naturally inclined to
not seek after God but rather to turn away from God?
3. Does this passage seem to leave room for anyone to be exempt from the well deserved
wrath and judgment of God?
4. What are the dire consequenses of the absence of having a reverent 'fear of God'?
5. What does this passage say about the possibility of being justified [declared not
guilty] by the deeds of the law?
Cross References (Romans 3:10-20)
Psalms 14:1-3, Psalms 36:1-1, Proverbs 9:10-10, Galatians
2:15-16
Commentary (Romans 3:10-20)
The fact that by nature there is no one seeking after God, but rather pursuing their
own sinful and selfish desires, is one of the most easily recognizable truths in the
entire Scriptures. The Apostle Paul minces no words as he repeatedly drives home to us the
reality of our sin and the desperateness of our spiritual situation. He quickly removes
from us any hope whatsoever of being able to earn or even contribute in the slightest
degree to our own salvation. He drives us irresistably to cast ourselves solely on the
grace and mercy of God.
Isaiah 64:6-6
6. But we are all as an unclean [thing], and all our
righteousnesses [are] as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities,
like the wind, have taken us away.
Historical Context (Isaiah 64:6-6)
The prophet Isaiah is here prophesying to a people in captivity. The people of Israel
have been carried captive to the land of Babylon as punishment for their many sins as
decreed by God. They were a people well aware of their sinfulness and of the dire
consequences which their sins had caused. As God's prophet, Isaiah is faithfully pointing
them to the only hope for their physical and spiritual restoration, the grace and mercy of
God.
Study Questions (Isaiah 64:6-6)
1. What type of emotional reaction do you have when you visualize vile pollution on a
pristine beach?
2. How do you believe a perfectly Holy God views the vileness of our sin?
3. What is the implication of the fact that our most righteous deeds appear as filthy
rags before the eyes of our Holy God?
4. What analogy is used in this text to convey the effects of our sin upon us?
Cross References (Isaiah 64:6-6)
Psalms 51:5-5, Genesis 6:5-5
Commentary (Isaiah 64:6-6)
Notice here the all inclusive language which the prophet uses. He speaks of all of us
and of all of our righteousness. He leaves no room for any sense or semblance of a helpful
self-righteousness, but rather clearly concludes that left to ourselves and our own
spiritual devices, our sins will quickly sweep us away into an eternal death!
Chapter 5 - How Then Can I Be Saved? |
