Daily Bread 2010 - Romans 2
Daily Bread 2010 – Romans 2
The Jews and the Law
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
In chapter 2, Paul is confronting the Jews who say they have the Law (the Ten Commandments) and have a special relationship with God because of that. But Paul argues that just knowing the Law is not good enough, one needs to obey it and live by it. Even though the Jews knew the Law, when they were living lives of hypocrisy, it caused God’s name to be blasphemed, or spoken of in a negative light.
In the bottom of the chapter 2, Paul points to the matter of Jewish men being circumcised to set them apart as men of faith from little boys. But Paul says that just because one is physically circumcised doesn’t always mean an inward change, but true circumcision is one of the heart, and leads to an inward transformation that leads to changed behavior.
This would be very similar to Christian baptism. Baptism is a symbol of being marked by the cross of Christ, and yet if the person does not live according to ways of Christ, it is not a true Baptism. Baptism is God’s work and when a child understands and accepts what it means to be God’s child (through his/her church and their family/sponsors) and receive the Holy Spirit they are set apart to live for Christ in the world.
These teachings are much needed today, as many think Christians live, act, think no differently than those in the world. Unless Christians, in the power of the Spirit, live as Jesus lived and emulate his values and teachings, our witness will be greatly diminished. In short, you can say it would be very important that our “walk” matches our “talk”. Sometimes the most verbal Christians should examine their own lives before they are so public with their faith so as not to bring a bad name to Christianity.
God help us to live out our calling to be the salt and the light you have called us to be. As you have marked us with the cross of Christ our baptism, help us to live out the cross life, dying to our old selves and being raised to new life in Christ in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The Jews and the Law
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
In chapter 2, Paul is confronting the Jews who say they have the Law (the Ten Commandments) and have a special relationship with God because of that. But Paul argues that just knowing the Law is not good enough, one needs to obey it and live by it. Even though the Jews knew the Law, when they were living lives of hypocrisy, it caused God’s name to be blasphemed, or spoken of in a negative light.
In the bottom of the chapter 2, Paul points to the matter of Jewish men being circumcised to set them apart as men of faith from little boys. But Paul says that just because one is physically circumcised doesn’t always mean an inward change, but true circumcision is one of the heart, and leads to an inward transformation that leads to changed behavior.
This would be very similar to Christian baptism. Baptism is a symbol of being marked by the cross of Christ, and yet if the person does not live according to ways of Christ, it is not a true Baptism. Baptism is God’s work and when a child understands and accepts what it means to be God’s child (through his/her church and their family/sponsors) and receive the Holy Spirit they are set apart to live for Christ in the world.
These teachings are much needed today, as many think Christians live, act, think no differently than those in the world. Unless Christians, in the power of the Spirit, live as Jesus lived and emulate his values and teachings, our witness will be greatly diminished. In short, you can say it would be very important that our “walk” matches our “talk”. Sometimes the most verbal Christians should examine their own lives before they are so public with their faith so as not to bring a bad name to Christianity.
God help us to live out our calling to be the salt and the light you have called us to be. As you have marked us with the cross of Christ our baptism, help us to live out the cross life, dying to our old selves and being raised to new life in Christ in the power of Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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