Slices
Prepare
‘Your enjoyment of the world is never right till every morning you awake in heaven, [and] see yourself in your Father’s palace…’* Where are you seeing yourself today?
* Thomas Traherne
Bible passage
God’s faithfulness
3 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
‘So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.’
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, ‘If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?’ 8 Why not say – as some slanderously claim that we say – ‘Let us do evil that good may result’? Their condemnation is just!
Explore
‘Yes, but…’. ‘What if…?’ ‘So you mean…’. The minute you start really ‘getting’ the good news, a hundred questions spring to mind!
‘If I carry on sinning, will God stop being faithful?’ (v 3).
‘If my sin makes God’s grace look even better, isn’t it unfair that he is against me sinning?’ (v 5).
‘Why not keep sinning so that more people see God’s greatness in forgiving me?’ (v 7).
Paul’s answers (vs 4,6,8) range from ‘Not at all’ to, effectively, ‘Now you’re just being silly!’ (v 8). But his responses do show that he has clearly anticipated these objections and questions. His faith was a thought-through faith. He didn’t duck the questions; he wrestled with them until he had found answers that were consistent with God’s good character (v 4) and God’s good news.
It’s helpful to have thought through people’s questions before they ask them! That way you may ‘be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ (1 Peter 3:15).
Respond
What questions do you imagine people you know have about your faith? How might you offer helpful answers? Next time you meet socially with a Christian friend, discuss this with them and learn from one another.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Exodus 15,16; Psalms 15,16
Pray for Scripture Union
Supporter Care Assistant John Cartwright asks us to pray that the final moves to integrate our technical systems with our new warehouse supplier will be completed quickly and smoothly. Pray that this will lead to faster delivery of orders and subscriptions.
