Posted on 08/04/2010 1:04:31 PM PDT by pastorbillrandles
The False Confidence in Law…Romans 2
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28-29)
Paul has been discussing the righteous judgment of God, warning those who “rest in the Law” that knowing and even prizing the law does not exempt one from judgment according to truth. This could apply as well to those raised in the christian milieu.
Neither baptism, nor circumcision can save us from the wrath of God, in fact they are meaningless unless the spiritual reality they point to is evident in the lives of those who claim it.
Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.(Romans 2:17-20)
Paul examines the psychology of self-delusion by which the religionist imagines he will escape the judgment of God.
*“You rest in the Law”- means that just by virtue of the fact that being a Jew (or a ‘christian’) gives one a higher moral sense than the rest of the world, they ‘rest’, concerning judgment.
*“You make your boast of God”- is akin to Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the publican,
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.(Luke 18:9-14)
Note the contrast between the boastful Pharisee, bearing the very false confidence Paul is warning about here, and the sinful publican smiting his breast(The heart is the very seat of sin) out of a bitter sense of distance from God.
*”You know His will”- The Law is a Revelation of God, it does teach the will of God. But rather than a source of self-confidence, the law should engender utter humility,and the fear of God. The Law should turn men to God,to seek cleansing and redemption.
*”You are confident that you are a guide…a light…an instructor…”- Those who have been given the Word of God should be teachers and guides, but not in false confidence and pride. The complacency he is warning the religious of, is utterly damning.
Who is it that really “gets ” the message of the Law of God? Knowledge of the Law and stewardship of it is an incredible privilege and enriching to any people. No wonder the psalmist burst out into exultation,“O how I Love thy Law, it is my meditation day and night!” (Psalm 119)
But the responsibility that comes with such privilege is sobering. Man will not be judged by what he doesn’t know, only by what he does know. To whom much is given much is required. Those who have been blessed by the Word of God, and access to it, have a heavy accounting coming.
For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;(Romans 2:12)
Paul is in continuity ,not only with Jesus but with the warnings of all of the prophets of God to the people of the Word. Isaiah prophesied the true response to the knowledge of the Word of God, as opposed to the busy, empty, self-confident religiousity of the Israel of His day. Note his description of true Piety,
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me?… For all those things hath mine hand-made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog’s neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine’s blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.(Isaiah 66:1-4)
The real understanding of the Law, brings brokenness, self-doubt, utter filial fear of God, willingness to be humble, contrition( sorrow for sin), total love and devotion for forgiveness and redemption. This is saving Faith, approved of the Holy Spirit!
Busy, presumptuous religion, going about “building a house for God”(Look at what we are doing for God!), offering sacrifices as ritual, but with no real response to God, no listening and seeking to please God…”When I called no one answered”, this is religion which is rejected and disapproved.
Anyone who is "religious" without a personal relationship with G-d is in trouble, spiritually speaking. I have a very personal relationship with the G-d of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. Look to King David as a model, he was a great King, yet humble, a murderer but forgiven, a flawed human being, but G-d called him friend, a man after G-ds heart. The longest chapter in all of scripture is Psalm 119, 176 verses of David praising the Law of G-d.
I am saved by Grace. Just as all of us are. Whenever we approach G-d and repent, turn from our sin, with a broken and contrite heart, we are forgiven. Why? By the grace of G-d.
Ps 32:5I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.
Ps 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
I am ever mindful, in our daily prayers of the power of G-d, the creator of the universe, King of all nations, Father and friend. And I am humbled as David wrote: 6But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
I dont know what happened to my post on that one...Yes, I am ultra conservative as are all the Jews I know. I cant stand Obama or any of the JINO's who he hires. They are no better than the Jews the Nazis put in charge of the death camps (Kapos). I hate abortion. Fags shouldnt marry. I own many guns. I carry concealed. I believe in small limited government. Illegals should leave. End birthright citizenship. Our country is on the verse of economic collapse....etc. I would never vote for Obama or any dem for that matter. There is something very wrong about Obama and he is a vile anti-jew. If you want to see how other Jews like me think about politics, go to Israel National news and israel national radio. (online)
Soon! As you can tell, the nations are gathering against Israel. The Jewish people are returning to Israel in ever greater numbers, the first time since 70 AD!, I myself want to go. There is a sanhedrin forming, many of the implements for the 3rd temple are made. The priestly garments, the breastplate, the menorah, the laver, the priestly crown. All ready.
don't take it out on your Christian brothers and sisters who love you, who are called by GOD to love you, and don't take it out of Jesus Christ.
I dont. I know that evangelical Christians are Israels best friend. This is a recent, since ww2, phenomenon though. For most of the past 2000 years, crusades, inquisition, pogroms and holocaust have slaughtered the Jews.
I dont hate any Christians or Jesus. I do feel that the Jewish point of view should be more widely known and let the chips fall where they may. I would argue that most Christians have no idea why Orthodox Conservative Jews dont accept Jesus. Maybe...they are blind...they dont realize there was a suffering messiah...but trust me, we have examined everything. When you learn Hebrew, it starts to make more sense. My opinion is, learn everything there is to know.
I agree! It is good to hash these things out in mutual respect. We both share a love for the G-d of Israel, his land and his people. That is no small thing!
All the Jews I "hang with" dont hate Christians. It is the secular Jews (oxymoron there) and reform liberal Jews who see the Chrisitans with suspicion (mostly but some orthodox too). Again, the horrors of the holocaust have yet to fade and and the pogroms of europe have left a scar.
All I know is ? as my Jewish brother, I am suppose to BLESS YOU,,, and I BLESS YOU and Israel.. I want all the favore from GOD that I can get.
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