Lesson for SEP. 18: ONE GREAT PROBLEM

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville, TN

Focal Passage: Romans 3:9-12,19-20, 23

It is popular today to discuss whether or not it is relevant or important to name the problem.  Does not identifying the problem make solving it easier? I would argue without proper identification of a problem, a solution is nearly impossible to find.

So, why do people today seem to find it so difficult to name a problem? I believe it is because of their feelings about the problem. It is easy to armchair quarterback, or in other words to offer solutions from the outside looking in. However, when a problem hits close to home and becomes personal, by invading your life or inner circle, it becomes so much harder to name the problem and take the necessary steps to solve it. 

This is why Paul takes such great pains in the first part of his letter to the church at Rome to identify the problem that plagues all of humanity. Paul clearly articulates that the problem mankind faces is inherent in his nature. In other words, he is born with it and can do nothing about it.  The word he uses 47 times to describe mankind’s problem is sin. To sin is to miss the mark or the target. It refers to missing the intended purpose for which we were created, namely to obey and glorify God. Anything we think, say, or do that opposes God or His character as revealed in Scripture is sin.

The main point made by Paul in the remaining verses of Romans 3 is that sin is a universal condition of all mankind and therefore we all stand guilty before a Holy God. Likewise, none of us can be saved by our own merit. I like how Paul puts it in the form of a question in verse nine: “What then are we better than they?” How many times have we compared ourselves by the standard of ourselves and looked across the street at our neighbor and said, “Well, at least I am not as bad as they.” And, yet in God’s eyes you are still sinful and still unable to be justified in His sight. You may not be as bad as some, but you may be worse than others. Regardless, simply one sin is enough to keep you apart from God.

So then, what is the purpose of the law? Paul says it is there simply to make us aware of our problem. Then, once the problem is identified, we can start searching for a solution.  But, this is where we run into an even bigger quandary because a solution cannot readily be found.  Enter grace through the redemption offered in Jesus Christ. Therefore, God is just in that sin is exposed and rightly punished, but man is justified by the perfect sacrifice of Christ on the cross.  One great problem solved and even greater solution.