3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
The Jews were given the oracles of God. When they walked in obedience they were blessed. When they walked in disobedience they were cursed. They walked more in disobedience and Jerusalem was destroyed and the people dispersed. God brings them back to prepare for Jesus and the new covenant. They are blessed at times and they are cursed at times. Jesus arrives. New oracles are set before the people. A new sacrifice instituted. The Holy Spirit is given. Israel walks contrary to the new oracles from God. They could have been blessed but instead they are cursed. Jerusalem is destroyed and the people are dispersed once again.
God has brought them back again to prepare the way for the return of Jesus and the establishment of his world-wide kingdom.
Whether you are talking about the number of people who did not believe or a percentage of the people who did not believe, whether great or small, how does their lack of faith impact on the promises of God? Does their failure to walk in the covenant prevent, slowdown, alter or break the covenant God has established with his people? A resounding, No! God will always perform His word.
Absolutely not! The failure of some, or even many, does not stop God from fulfilling His word. In this line we see the term "the faith." This is not referring to the faith that God has in them. It is not referring to the faith that they as individuals, or as a group, have in God. In this regard it is talking about "The Faith." It is referring to the covenant that they were under. Everything given to them through Moses and later through the prophets. The Faith is all about how to walk in a proper relationship with God. It is a covenant that lays down the commandments, the laws, statutes, precepts that would govern the relationship between man and God.
Everyone would be quick to point out all the promises of God that hold the blessings that come from obedience. However many do not want to think about, let alone dwell on, the promises of God that hold the curses that comes from disobedience. Curses? In Deuteronomy 11.26 God says, "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse." The effect of walking with him, blessings. The effect of walking contrary to him, curses. Read the list from Deuteronomy chapters 27-30. When things went terribly wrong for Israel it was not because "The Faith" of God was not effective. What was happening was according to "The Faith." It was part of the covenant. It just wasn't the nice part. Their lack of faith opened them up to walk in darkness and then, not listening to the warnings from the prophets, God fulfilled his word and they were punished.
The problem with mankind? They have a problem recognizing when they are wrong. We can always find reasons for someone else or something else being the cause for our failure. We would rather walk in ignorance than knowingly walk contrary to the truth. Better to be a blind guide than a knowing sinner? Jesus condemned the Pharisees for being blind to the truth and leading others astray. Peculiar how one can justify their twisted faith by ignoring what is plainly before them.
When the going gets tough the thoughtless take the word of God and quit, alter, change, etc. They cannot, or will not, walk according to "The Faith." They are willing to accept God on their own terms. Then, when God does not live up to their conception of the covenant, they blame God for failing to live up to his word. They hold God guilty of breaking "The Faith." Yet in the end the covenant stands according to God's understanding. When mankind judges God his word will always stand firm. The word of God will always justify God's action. The Old Covenant is the contract whereby most Jews will be judged. Some of them will be judged according to the New Covenant.
So we have men and women who will not, or cannot, walk according to the oracles of God. It doesn't matter whether these oracles are from the Old Faith or from the New Faith. Gentiles as well as Jews play the games above. They even go a step further. How so?
"If what we do is so bad, and God is so good, then are we not creating opportunities for God to show how loving, caring and forgiving He is? God would not punish us for our failures because he is supremely patient. He gives a great amount of time to lead us to repentance. His kindness in this regard draws us closer. How then can we be judged as sinners and be punished? Even if I lie, if I explain how great God is in my life when he isn't, I build up the character of God in other peoples eyes, how can that be bad?"
This is carnal reasoning. If I talk about how great a person is then that person is less likely to do me harm. Even if that person is a bully, my praises can help improve my situation. This way of winning people over is from the pit. It is manipulation and some try to do this with God. They manipulate their faith so they feel no guilt. They can walk comfortably in the darkness. They fall into the pit. God judges them guilty and their punishment is deserved.
Are you a part of the crowd above? Do you understand the covenant you have with God? Are you walking contrary to the covenant you are in? Do you lay the blame for your failure at the feet of God... others? Do you think God is honoured when you do wrong so He can show how good He is? If you keep making excuses, continue to lay blame elsewhere and keep walking in opposition to God; the result of such actions.... judgment. It is God who will take vengeance upon the believer(?) and the lost. When he does so, it will be an act of righteousness to judge the unrighteous acts of man.
Do not deceive yourself. The only thing that will save you? Faith! Faith in God according to "The Faith" He has made known. Within these covenants we have the words of life. Walk with faith in your heart as you step in agreement with "The Faith."
Website administrator: Joseph A Raymond
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada