Passage
But if you are being called a Jew, are relying upon the Law,
are boasting in God, knowing the will, examining the things that are worthy
while being instructed in the Law, having confidence that you yourself are
being a guide of the blind, being a light to the one in darkness, being a
teacher of the unwise, being an instructor of the small children, having the embodiment of the knowledge and
truth in the Law – therefore, the ones who instruct others, do you not instruct
yourself? The ones who preach to not
steal, do you steal? The ones who say to
not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?
The ones who detest idols, do you rob temples? Whoever boasts in the Law, through the
transgression of the Law you dishonor God.
For the name of God is being blasphemed in the Gentiles through you,
just as it has been written.
Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
In this long passage, Paul is setting up some teaching for
today and even more teaching that we’ll focus on tomorrow. Here is the fundamental point that Paul is
making for today. Possession of the Law
is not what is important. Possession of
spiritual truth is not what is important.
Possession of incredible academic understanding of God is not what is
important. What is important is how we
respond to what God has given to us. God
doesn’t care if we are the smartest. He
cares what we do with what He has given to us.
Do you believe that your spiritual activities are for your
own benefit? In other words, when you
come to worship, are you coming for your own sake or for the sake of
others? When you go to a Bible Study,
are you doing it for your own sake of for others? What is the danger in doing things for my own
sake and simply for my own learning? Do
you think that because it is easy to focus on ourselves that many modern
Christians ignore the fact that Christ explicitly tells us to go and make
disciples?
Second Thought:
Paul gives some great examples of behavior. He points to those who teach spirituality to
others. He points to those who feel as
though they have it all. He points to
those who presume themselves to be a light in the darkness to the blind. He looks to them and asks them a simple
question: do you practice what you preach and teach? Paul wants to know if the life that they are
telling others to live is the same life that they are living. Paul wants to know if their faith is simply
academic or if it is life transforming.
What is the difference between an academic faith and a faith
that transforms lives? Who do you know
that has a faith that transforms lives?
Who do you know that has a simple academic faith?
Third Thought:
Paul lowers a significant blow to the people to whom he is
writing just before moving on to the topic that we’ll reserve for
tomorrow. Paul informs them that because
their walk doesn’t match their talk, God’s name is being blasphemed among the
Gentiles. Because people claim to be
God-fearers but aren’t actually practicing what they are preaching, God’s name
is being dragged through the mud among those who do not know God. This is a humbling statement, because I
believe that it is just as true about Christians today as it was about Jews in
the day of Paul. Because we do not truly
live as Jesus taught us to live, we are abiding in a culture that is dragging
God’s name through the mud and enjoying the process of doing so!
Are there ways that you are not living like Jesus? Why do you live that way? How do your choices in that regard allow
others to think less of God?
Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 2:25-29
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