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ROMANS - The Lord is our Righteousness
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Romans
PART 1 - The Righteousness of God Condemns all Sinners and Justifies and Sanctifies all Believers in Christ (Romans 1:18 - 8:39)
A - The Whole World Lies under the Sway of the Wicked One, and God will Judge all in Righteousness (Romans 1:18 - 3:20)
2. The Wrath of God is Revealed against the Jews (Romans 2:1-3:20)

c) Man is Saved not by Knowledge, but by Works (Romans 2:17-24)


ROMANS 2:17-24
17 Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, and rest on the law, and glory in God, 18 and know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babies, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth. 21 You therefore who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn’t steal, do you steal? 22 You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery. Do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who glory in the law, through your disobedience of the law do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

God entrusted the descendants of Abraham with the privilege of the holy Law, which testifies the greatness and holy glory of God. The Jews recognized the value of the Law. They relied on it, and were puffed up mightily by this privilege, and thought this enough to bring them to heaven, while the Law, in fact, was a reason for wrath and condemnation because of the way they acted.

Paul numbered the good and bad qualities, which characterized the Jews. The divine revelation gave the people of the wilderness tranquility, confidence, and pride, because they knew God and his will. They recognized the best way in life, and became in the past the teachers of the peoples, and the light of the nations.

On the other hand, Paul confirmed to them that the Law has no power to reform men. It is true that through it, the Jews knew what they were obliged to do, but they did not fulfill their obligations. They knew the mysteries of God, but they did not walk in them. Many of them arrived at a high stage of formal legalistic piety with iron determination. However, the will of God was not outpoured in their hearts.

Maybe they did not practically steal, but their eyes were blinded with covetousness. Maybe they did not commit adultery in common, but their hearts overflowed with unclean thoughts. They transgressed the Law of God thousands of times. In addition, Paul experienced the lack of love even in the life of the believers. They dishonored God by their sins, and caused the other nations to blaspheme against his holy name.

Paul was a Christian of Jewish origin and wrote down, apart from the delusions of grandeur, all the excellent properties of his people. Because of this statement, he had the right and the power to uncover the sins and scandals of his nation; that nothing remained of its righteousness compared with its great offences and aggravating faults. There is no complaint more burdensome against any people or nation than to say that the name of God is blasphemed because of their conduct. They did not respond to their original call to enlighten the peoples with the Law, but did the reverse. If only we could find nowadays a courageous witness like Paul, who does not deny our privileges, but removes the mask of piety from the face of our corrupt society that nothing might remain except repentance and brokenness.

Do you condemn the people of Abraham? Beware! They are sinful like you.

God said clearly: “Be holy, for I am holy”. Are you really a holy and perfect Christian, as your heavenly Father is? Does your light shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven, because of the apparent change in your life? Do your friends despise your religion, because you are no better than those who deny the redemption of Christ? Are you a reason for blasphemy against the name of God? Can our heavenly Father reveal himself through your love and humility?

PRAYER: O holy and great God, my sin is greater than I know. In my disobedience and hypocrisy, I became a reason for blasphemy of many. Forgive me when someone blasphemes against your holy name, because I did not walk perfectly before you. Forgive me my incomplete love, purity, and patience. You created me in your image that the others might see you in me; so help me to obey your commands and follow your example that your image may shine brighter and brighter in me. Save me from my weakness, my faults, and myself.

QUESTION:

  1. What are the privileges of the Law and its burdens on the Jews?

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