Why NOT To Keep Doing Evil

February 13, 2018

Why NOT To Keep Doing Evil

Romans 3:5–8

Katelaine McGee

Central Truth

"[W]hy not do evil that good may come?" (Romans 3:8) Because we have been given grace from the One who loves us more than we can ever imagine.

5 But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say? That God is unrighteous to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) 6 By no means! For then how could God judge the world? 7 But if through my lie God's truth abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? 8 And why not do evil that good may come?—as some people slanderously charge us with saying. Their condemnation is just.

In today’s passage we see two similar questions. Essentially, we are asked why we are condemned as sinners if our sin shows the goodness of God. It says, “why not do evil that good may come?” (Verse 8)

Because of His sovereignty and His goodness, God is able to use bad things in this world and turn them around for good. Let me say that I want to serve a God who can do that!

So our sin is bad and separates us from God. But it glorifies God because in His forgiveness we see His love, grace, mercy, and kindness. That’s what was being asked in the passage. If my sin shows the goodness of God, why should I still be condemned as a sinner? “[W]hy not do evil that good may come?” But that’s the thing. When God displayed His grace through sending His Son to die on the cross for our sins, we who have trusted in Christ have died to our sin (Romans 6:2). This does not mean that God overlooks our sin. It means that JESUS took on my sin. It wasn't overlooked; Jesus took the blame. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

This is good news because it means that we are no longer slaves to our sin and flesh. Not only are His love and grace shown in the forgiveness of my sin, but it’s because of that love and grace that I should obediently trust and follow the One who sent His Son as a sacrifice for me. So back to the question “why not do evil that good may come?” Because we have been eternally saved and reunited with the One who loved us enough to send His only Son to die for us. Imagine Him standing right in front of you and telling Him, “No thanks, I’ll keep on sinning.” It’s not easy to imagine saying that to the Person who just saved your life. BUT we have been redeemed and are free from our sin!

1. How would you respond to someone who uses an argument like the ones we see in today’s passage? Have you ever been in a conversation like this?

2. When have you seen God use a bad circumstance to display His glory?

3. Are you ever tempted to give in to temptation because you know that God will forgive you? What Scripture can you use to give you strength in times of temptation?