Romans 2:17-29 (ESV)
There are many reasons people have a false sense of security in their relationship with God. Paul wrote about three and warned against them.
The first is upbringing (17a). For centuries, the Israelites were called Hebrews, but by the time of Christ, they were commonly called Jews, and refers to the race that descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were racially unique. They were religiously unique. They were set apart from all other people groups in the world. While the word “Jew” has been used as a slur or insult, the ancient people wore it as a badge of honor and pride. The word is derived from Judah, meaning “praise” or “praised”. But they had lost sight of their unique calling that through them “all the nations of the earth will be blessed” (Gen 12).
They had no desire to share their truth or blessings with the rest of the world, and no desire to be used by God to bless the world. They boasted in all the wrong ways. They thought being a physical descendant of Abraham made them children of God. If they were Abraham’s children, they would do the deeds of Abraham, but instead sought to destroy God’s Christ. Likewise, many today feel safe because they were born into a Christian family, or baptized, or confirmed, or profess the faith of their family, or belong to a church. But without true faith in Christ, these things are idolatry.
The second source of false assurance is access to information/knowledge (17b-18). Like us, the Jews did not live up to the Law. Many thought that learning the facts of the Law was sufficient to please God. A few rabbis even taught possessing a scroll was enough to please God. They boasted to know God’s will, but were not concerned about doing it. They knew a lot, but obeyed very little. 19-20…they saw themselves as guides to the blind (Gentiles). Yet, the Lord called them “blind”, desperately needing help themselves. They thought they were light, but were in darkness.
21-22…When they taught the truth, they taught hypocritically. Right doctrine does not always lead to right living. They were swindlers and thieves. They devoured widows’ households. The Lord cleansed the Temple of them. They were fornicators, divorcing their wives’ at will, and considered it all OK as long as the correct paperwork was performed. They committed sacrilege, and robbed temples. How? witholding tithes and offerings. They even made oaths to protect their assets from being used to help the poor or pay their debts.
23-24…Every sin dishonors God; no matter which sin and no matter by whom. If there is no difference between how you live and the community around you, the name of the Lord is dishonored.
The third source of false assurance is ceremonies/rituals (25-29). Circumcision was the physical and outward sign of the covenant God made with that people. Sin is passed from generation to generation, and the surgery symbolized the need to cut away sin and have the heart cleansed. The procedure itself had no merit with God. A law-breaking circumcised Jew had no more relationship to God than a law-breaking uncircumcised Gentile. Treasuring God’s Word and doing what pleases Him in faith….that is true wealth with God. A Gentile who treasures God’s Word is just as precious as a Jew who treasures God’s Word. In fact, believing Gentiles will sit in judgment over unbelieving Jews (27). The faith and obedience of the believer will rebuke the unfaithful disobedience of the hypocrite.
When true faith declines, the church is tempted to stress rituals, the externals, to replace the decline of faith. In every period of church reformation and revival, people look inward in humble obedience and turn away from forms and customs. Revival pushes us toward the ways and works of the Spirit. Ceremonies have no value. A true child of God is the person who is one inwardly. The true evidence of God’s child is not an outward symbol or ritual, but a godly heart.
Key Takeaways:
- Knowledge of God’s Law does not save a person.
- Salvation is a grace gift of the Spirit Himself operating through the proclaimed Word working in our hearts.
- Search your hearts! The Scripture demands we look for the evidence of salvation within, and not rely on the customs, duties, and rituals on the outside.
- Those things prove nothing, and may even deceive you concerning your relationship with the Lord.
- The danger of deception is the blindness, self-confidence, being self-satisfied.
- Many people rely on their upbringing, knowledge, or rituals for confidence with God. Don’t be one of the them,
- Repent of your sin, trust Christ only, and live!