The Responsibility of Knowing His Word

Paul, in Romans, now begins to move from looking at the guilt of every human being based upon God’s moral law, the Ten Commandments, being written on our conscience, to looking at the special guilt of Israel. As keepers of the divine law, being God’s covenant people through whom the law came as well as the Messiah, the people of Israel are especially guilty. Let’s take a look at what Paul specifically says in Romans: But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. Romans 2:17-29

You see that here the Jews relied upon the law, and boasted in the law, and the fact that God had given it to them, as a matter of proving God’s divine favor of them. Every Jew of his time would have agreed that God was surely inclined to give the Israelite favor, just as most Jews are inclined to believe today. While it is true that the Jews are God’s covenant people, the fact does not excuse them from guilt, but rather serves to condemn them even further. As we can read, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth-- you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (Romans 2:20b-21a) A stern rebuke to those who were Jews, yet an even sterner rebuke came when Paul quotes Isaiah saying, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

The covenant sign they have with God becoming nothing because as Paul states that no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, but rather someone is a Jew inwardly, when their covenant sign is more than physical, by becoming circumcision (cutting away the flesh) from the heart of the man himself. And when we they are God’s people inwardly, then the praise they receive is not from other men, but from God himself.

So how can we apply this to us today? The answer lies in the fact that those of us who have been “in the church” are entrusted with Spiritual wisdom, and it doesn’t bring upon us divine favor, but instead brings upon us even more responsibility. As Paul admonishes Timothy that those who teach will be judged more strictly. If you are claiming to be a Christian, claiming to be one of God’s chosen people, redeemed by the blood of the lamb, yet are one only outwardly (by signs of attending church, being baptized, etc.), and are not one inwardly (by signs of living out God’s words, keeping his commands, serving him faithfully, etc.) then you should fear the Lord even more. For we who have his word must not only instruct the sinner, but should also instruct ourselves, and live a life of holiness, where we are set apart and consecrated unto him.

Lord,
Let me not fall into the trap of merely teaching others what you require. But Father may personal holiness be something that happens in my life, even now, as I live by the power of your Spirit! Amen