Romans 2 Practice What You Preach

Read Romans 2

This passage basically is in two sections -- God's Wrath and the Jews and the Law. But the summary for us today seems to be, will you live as you say you are?

Verses 1-16 teach us that the wrath of God is supreme. He is the judge, period. But how often do we act as judge and jury of others when we are committing sin against the Father? (See 2:1-4) God's reward is going to come on all men "who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality...." (2:7)

The second part reminds us that we must live under the law but more importantly, under the circumcision of the heart. (vs 12-29) Our lives must be examples, not talking heads. We have to model the law to uphold it.

I was raised in the church. I know the lingo. I know the theology. I know the doctrine. But the question is do I model what I teach? Am I living in the physical circumcision or in the circumcision of the heart? And if I am living the law only, then I am judging others who are not following the law and missing the entire objective myself.

What is that objective? To love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and to love my neighbor as myself. (Mark 12:30-31 paraphrased) That life involves living under the law with the power of the heart in action. I cannot straddle the two; they must be a joint venture. One without the other makes me either a pharisee or a hippy. I can't be bound alone by law, and in the same vein I can't just be spreading meaningless "love." I can only live out the powerful love of our Lord while living under His direction.

And both of these practices - living the law and living in love must be covered by grace. It is through grace that I see my own unworthiness and am humbled. And in that humility, I can extend grace to others who are also unworthy rather than burdening them with judgment. Judging others will only bring destruction to them and to myself. Living by grace does not condone their actions any more than it condones my sin. But grace allows us to love others within their sin. And maybe, just maybe, they will turn from their sin because they have seen love and grace lived out through me.

Lord, guide me to walk under Your laws and live under Your grace with an open heart to others who are just as broken as I am. So be it.

Further Thoughts:

1. What does living under the law truly mean?
2. Define grace with Scripture.
3. Examine your heart - has it been circumcised? What is standing in the way?

Matthew 15:1-20 "True Cleanliness"

Read Matthew 15:1-20.

"'They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" NIV

Here the Pharisees are hanging onto and calling down the disciples over a tradition that man had made, not God. Setting aside the fact that it was better hygene to be washing before eating, the Pharisees had made this tradition a basis for righteousness even though it was not even a biblical mandate.

Every denomination has manmade rules that they expect their congregations to adhere to. But they are simply that -- manmade. God didn't put those things into being. They are not biblical -- just man's idea of how to achieve a Christ-like life. Some are good practices, even if they are not biblical mandates. But they do not add or take away from our righteousness. That is of the heart.

Jesus contradicts all of what the Pharisees are commanding by saying that our cleanliness is not in having clean food going into us, but have cleanliness come out of our mouth for those are the things of our heart. Rightousness is not rooted in our actions or inactions, but in our heart. The actions we do - which do show the fruit of our lives - are based on doing them out of a love (heart) for God and His laws, not out of duty (manmade rules). Therefore, God's laws are to be followed, but manmade laws are not part of our righteousness.

Now, I say all that with this addedum. One of God's laws is to respect the authority over you. The political authorities over where you live are to be respected and followed. If you can't submit, move. If you have aligned yourself with a particular denomination, you are under God's law to respect their authority and follow the mandates they lay down. If you cannot follow those, then don't be a part of that organization. The body of Christ is much bigger than any one organization.

God sees our heart and desires that the righteousness He places within us is what shines in our actions. If we just keep it simple -- follow God's laws, remain pure in heart, love others with His love -- we will be following the only rules we need for our lives.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read through some of the Old Testament laws. What were some of the laws that God established? What did Jesus say about the laws? (Not the tradition of the elders.) See Matthew 5:17-20 and associated post.
2. What kinds of "laws" are you following right now that are manmade and have nothing to do with your salvation? Why do you follow them? If you think it increases your holiness, know that it doesn't. If you follow them out of respect for authority over you, then continue and be obedient to God's laws in doing so.
3. Is there anything in your heart that is contrary to God's ways? Really think about that and ask Him to reveal to you any that may be there. If there are, ask His forgiveness and surrender those things to Him. They are only contrary to Christ and have no business in our lives. (See vs. 19)

Matthew 5:17-20 "The Fulfillment"

Read Matthew 5:17-20.

I don't understand how anyone could believe that Jesus came to earth to abolish the law. He is clearly the fulfillment of the law. However, hindsight is 20/20. And the Pharisees and Sadducee were doing everything possible to try to discredit Him. What I love is that everything was laid out before time and will continue to follow God's plan till it is all done. I can't seem to make one plan in my day without it getting interrupted or detoured. But God has everything under control. And we have a choice -- to follow His plan through His law and faith in His Son or to follow the ways of the Pharisees, living for self promotion and under empty legalism. Jesus calls us to live the law, not crawl under it.

But how often do I do the very same thing as the Pharisees by relegating Jesus to a list of do's and don'ts and not living out the grace and mercy he provides within the law. As Paul says we must keep our bodies under control, but we also must live out the Fruits of the Spirit, mercy toward our neighbors and the poor, and compassion on the lost.

We can't change the law or the prophets. Everything He commanded to be happening now and in the future will take place. But we can live in the love, grace and faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and teach others to do the same. If I do not, I will not see the kingdom of heaven. Those are consequences I do not wish to face.

Further Thoughts:

1. Paul speaks extensively regarding the law, Jews, Gentiles, and righteousness by faith in Romans. Read Romans 2:17 - 6:23 for further teaching.
2. What was the purpose for the law and how is Jesus the fulfillment of it?
3. Sometimes people want to use grace to cover the fact that they are not following the law. What are the consequences of that kind of thinking according to this passage?
4. What are some of the ways that following the law today could be done in just empty obedience? (i.e. Attending church on Sundays but living however you want the rest of the week.)