Sep
20
Written by:
Bob Flynn
9/20/2008 6:14 AM
THE SINNER IS UNQUESTIONABLY GUILTY. It is not merely that he has infirmities or that he is not as good as he ought to be: he has set at nought God’s authority, violated His commandments, trodden His Laws under foot. And this is true not only of a certain class of offenders, but “all the world” is “guilty before God” Arthur W. Pink, Doctrine of Justification
Romans 3:19 Whatsoever the law - The Old Testament. Saith, it saith to them that are under the law - That is, to those who own its authority; to the Jews, and not the gentiles. St. Paul quoted no scripture against them, but pleaded with them only from the light of nature. Every mouth - Full of bitterness, Romans 3:14, and yet of boasting, Romans 3:27. May become guilty - May be fully convicted, and apparently liable to most just condemnation. These things were written of old, and were quoted by St. Paul, not to make men criminal, but to prove them so. (John Wesley)
"Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God;" (NASB)
"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." (KJV)
"Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God." (NLT)
"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God." (NET)
THE SINNER IS UNQUESTIONABLY GUILTY. It is not merely that he has infirmities or that he is not as good as he ought to be: he has set at nought God’s authority, violated His commandments, trodden His Laws under foot. And this is true not only of a certain class of offenders, but “all the world” is “guilty before God” Arthur W. Pink, Doctrine of Justification
Let us consider that God wants us to know that He knows of what He pardoning us! This is in order that we may acknowledge what we truly deserve (cease from "excuses" and become "guilty"). For us to become wise, we must first become fools (1 Corinthians 3:18) and then become our own enemy and judge ourselves to be worthy of eternal damnation so that we may become God's friend! Where there is no true penitence there is no forgiveness.
Penitence: sorrow or grief of heart for sins or offenses; contrition. Real penitence springs from a conviction of guilt and ingratitude to God, and is followed by amendment of life. (Noah Webster)
Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. (1 Corinthians 3:18)
"Then you will remember your past sins and despise yourselves for all the detestable things you did." (Ezekiel 36:31 NLT)