Romans 2.17 -29
The argument of Paul now touches religious hypocrisy. It is
indeed commendable to read, study and teach the Bile truth. However when the
teaching of God’s law becomes a matter of pride and conceit, then it often
leads to the damning problem of hypocrisy i.e. teaching but not practising .
The Lord Jesus identified this same problem when He advised
the common people concerning the religious leaders ‘ do as they say (they sit
in Moses seat), but don’t do as they do.’ Matthew 23.3 . He described them as blind leaders of the
blind. God’s judgement will be more demanding on these leaders since they have
such brilliant light from God’s law yet do not keep it.
Verses 25 – 29 Identifies the same problem in the ritual of
circumcision . Jewish exclusiveness by circumcision has fostered national and
religious pride, but the cross-examination has showed up that outward religious
ritual without the corresponding inward reality is a sham. Indeed the argument
goes so far as to say that the Gentiles who don’t know the ritual, yet keep God’s
laws, whose hearts are changed by God’s Spirit, will be given the rights and
honours of being God’s people!
God knows
the hearts
God will reward the genuine.
No wonder He is called “
a Just God and a Saviour”
johnmckee@internode.on.net
comments welcome
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