“But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unjust who inflicts wrath? (I speak as a man.) Certainly not! For then how will God judge the world? For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, “Let us do evil that good may come”?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.” – Romans 3:5-8
Romans 3:5–8 presents a provocative question: “If our sin highlights God’s righteousness, is God unjust for judging us? ”Paul wastes no time in responding—“Certainly not!” In Greek, this signals strong rejection: “Absolutely not! May it never be!” He’s confronting the flawed logic that sin somehow benefits God by making His goodness look brighter. It’s like placing a diamond on black velvet—the contrast is striking, but that doesn’t mean the velvet is valuable. Sin may contrast God’s glory, but it never excuses the sinner. If God allowed that logic to stand, Paul argues, He’d have no ground to judge anyone—and we know God is the righteous Judge (Genesis 18:25, Psalm 94:2).
Paul’s rebuttal is sharp: if sin glorifies God, then no one—including the Gentiles the Jews thought were worse—could be judged. It’s a self-defeating argument. And even worse, some had falsely accused Paul of preaching this kind of lawlessness, saying he taught people to “sin more so grace might abound.” But Paul calls that slander. The grace of God isn’t permission to live recklessly—it’s power to live righteously. Romans 6:1–2 echoes the truth: “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” Real faith doesn’t flirt with rebellion—it reflects the heart of repentance and transformation.
Here’s the takeaway: Grace doesn’t erase holiness—it awakens it. We’re not saved because of our works, but salvation inevitably works itself out in our lives. So when tempted to twist grace as a license to sin, remember: salvation may be free, but sanctification is real. Let your life reflect that you’ve died to sin. Ask the Lord today, “Where does my life need to reflect more of the grace I’ve received?” Then take one step in obedience—because true grace always walks with truth.
“If our unrighteousness serves to demonstrate the righteousness of God, that does not mean God is unjust to punish us. God never condones sin to glorify Himself. He judges sin because He is holy, and His judgment reveals His righteousness.” – R.C. Sproul
surrendered devotions 