INTRODUCTION: Good News!!!! I have very GOOD NEWS! I am in Chattanooga where today I have seen all three of the children that I birthed and my in-law son. I will also Sunday, have the opportunity to have dinner with all 5 of my kids at the same time!!!!!! It is really GOOD NEWS! I can't tell you how full my heart is right now!
Question of the Day: If you could have a full sit down five course, three hour dinner with anyone, who would it be?
Today we will finish up Romans 2. So before we get started let's review.
In chapter 1: Paul introduces himself by stating who he is and what his calling his. What his purpose is. Then the importance of praying for each other, supporting one another and working together. We also discussed the importance of being proud of the gospel. (The good news! What Jesus has done for us. Our personal testimony.)
The last part of chapter 1 was all about God's wrath against sinful humanity and how the degradation of humanity starts with not giving God the glory and not being thankful. Our conclusion was if we will focus on the Jesus, give him the glory and live with thankfulness instead of focusing on our struggle with sin, we will find victory.
In chapter 2: The focus was on not judging others and then this key verse... "Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance."
Now we finish up chapter 2.
READ: Romans 2:17-29
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
I would really like for us to re read this in the message bible. It is maybe even harder to read because it sound like it is being spoken to us instead of people back in ancient history.
Religion Can’t Save You
17-24 If you’re brought up Jewish, don’t assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God’s revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I’m quite serious. While preaching “Don’t steal!” are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, “It’s because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God,” shows it’s an old problem that isn’t going to go away.
25-29 Circumcision, the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in accord with God’s law. But if you don’t, it’s worse than not being circumcised. The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God’s ways are as good as the circumcised—in fact, better. Better to keep God’s law uncircumcised than break it circumcised. Don’t you see: It’s not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are. It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.
Even the title is great isn't it! What does that mean? I would like to challenge you if you are a Seventh-day Adventist to substitute Jew for SDA. Also remember that this is life application.
Look at the first sentence in the Message: "If you’re brought up SDA, don’t assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines!" Is it safe to say that this could sound like it could fit with us Adventists?
Do you or do we ever sit back and "take it easy" because "we have the truth" because "we are the remnant?"
How are we "lazy" or leaning back in the arms of religion?
How do we keep from leaning back in the arms of religion?
How is it different to lean back in the arms of Jesus vs leaning back in the arms of religion?
The next sentence is also a continuation. "I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God’s revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God."
There are some very subtle points in this sentence that we need to look at.
What are we being cautioned about?
1. Sure that you have it all together because you know God's word inside and out.
So is it saying that being confident in the truth, knowing God's word, being able to quote scripture etc puts us at a disadvantage? Seriously, isn't that the goal?
Anytime we read His word, or recite His word, or remember what we have learned about His word without having a heart of humility and the willingness to learn, we are in danger of getting it wrong. The bible is the "living word" it's power comes from the Holy Spirit, when we reduce it to knowledge it looses it's power.
There is no separating Spirit and Truth. Truth is only truth when combined with the Spirit. Any time we think we have it all together, anytime we think we are doing it right, we have elevated self and elevating self can't be in existence with the spirit.
2. Feel qualified to guide others.
When you combine point number one as the reason for feeling qualified to guide others that is terrifying. I think the key here is we feel qualified. We are NEVER qualified to guide others. The only one qualified to guide others is Jesus. The only one. It isn't that we are never to guide, it is that we can only guide if we are guiding with a heart of humility that is letting the Lord do the guiding.
How can we make sure that we don't fall into this pattern?
How can we guide... How can we assist Him as He guides, or can we?
Finally verse 25-29. What is this saying?
What would be the SDA equivalent of circumcision?
Vegetarianism?
No Alcohol?
No Tobacco?
No Jewelry?
Sabbath?
Let's look at the last verse in the NIV. "No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God."
Circumcision is circumcision of the heart... by the Spirit, not the written code. Doesn't this sound a bit like Matthew. I don't want to be graphic, but circumcision changes the body.
What would a circumcised heart be like? A heart circumcised by the Spirit, what would that look like?
This is KEY!!!!!! If we have the Sabbath and we live healthful lives and don't have a heart marked by the Spirit we have nothing.
Yet if we have a heart marked, or circumcised by the Spirit, then...
I would like to end with the last sentence. "Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God."
We all long to be praised, don't we? When was the last time you were praised and affirmed by someone you admired and loved. Can you imagine being praised by Jesus?
Sit with that thought for a moment. What he wants is not just the Sabbath, he doesn't want just for us to honor him by eating healthfully, He wants to do a surgical procedure on your heart. He wants to cut, and reshape it. He wants your heart to be the mark and He will be the one who praises you.
I know letting Jesus take a scalpel to your heart isn't always pleasant, but it will be so worth it to hear our Lord and Savior say, "Well done my good and faithful servant, well done."
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