Feb 24, 2019
Originally Presented on October 22nd, 2006
Scripture Reading: Romans 2:17-29
The third segment in the first main section of Romans is Romans 2:17-29. It displays the kind of sinning committed by religious people, with the Jews as the focal point. To the Jews God gave His Law and this gift was precious. Because of having been instructed in the Law the Jews could "rely upon the Law, and boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are essential" (Rom 2:17,18).
Further, the Jews were supposed to be a light of truth to others . . . "a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature" (Rom 2:19,20. But there was a serious problem. The problem is seen in the series of rhetorical questions which come in verses 21-23.
"You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? . . . You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?" The expected answer to these questions is 'yes'.
What the Jews failed to see is that the vitality of a relationship with God rests, not on anything external, but on the heart's trusting in God. This passage is a stern warning to us because of the abundance of spiritual blessings God has given us. Hypocrisy is often a subtle sin, but let us be clear about its potency. It destroys spiritual vitality in believers and leads many others to hell.