Dishonoring God. Romans 2:21-29 V.21. I learn that it is possible to teach others things that I have not learned myself. The truths of God's law were not the minimum requirements for pleasing God any more than teaching the Gospel is the minimum requirement for getting into heaven. The law was a guideline for living in accordance with God's will. It is possible for teachers to teach others but choose not to follow their own teaching. Far more searching is the explanations the Lord Jesus Christ gave when He taught what the law really meant. Withholding what should be given, a lustful look, a false accusation while teaching holy things is blatant hypocrisy. It is easier to tell others what to do and how to behave, than to behave properly ourselves. Words may be spoken that are right but I must take, and act, upon my own advice.
V.22. Money has a way of turning people away from God. But there probably is nothing more despised in a Christian preacher or teacher, than making appeals for money and at the same time living in luxury and an extravagant life-style. The man who knows what the scriptures say about immorality, and teaches that, and then turns and is unfaithful, is abhorrent to all who heard him and followed his teaching.
V.23-24. When those who preach the Gospel explain the truth of God, we must honor God both outwardly and inwardly. We dare not act in such a way as to give non-Christians a reason to accuse us of hypocrisy and cause them to blaspheme the name of God. Truth has to be known and felt in the soul before it is spoken out publicly. "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee."
V.25-27. The circumcision of the heart begins when one hears the truth of God himself, either from another person or through the voice of God speaking in the scriptures of truth. A listener might not know much of God's truth, God's will and God's word, but when they hear of the righteousness of God, they repent of their sin and the circumcision of the heart begins. The love and grace of God brings them to turn to the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation. They put their personal faith in Him alone - that is circumcision of the heart. Someone whose heart is made right with God is the "real Jew" who honors God.
V.28-29. Such a person is made a member of God's family and an heir of all that God promises to them who believe in Him. This is not based on external forms and judgments but on inner changes brought about by the new birth. One who is a new creation in Christ Jesus is not just a church attendee or one who has been baptized. A new nature has been imparted to that person and there is now a desire for things they once abhorred. The things that once were so important are no longer because love for God, a desire to obey Him and please Him, a desire for on-going fellowship with God is real to that person. The reality of being a genuine believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has removed any desire to appear to be one thing and actually another person inside. Now our desire is to have praise from God not men - and to give praise to God not men. The heart and spirit, not the "letter of the law," is the source of our preaching and teaching - and our joy!
Outward or Inward. I know that naturally, I would be concerned with what others expect of me. But I learn that I can do what seems to be right, and is declared to be right by the law – that it has no real value to it if it is not from my heart.
A person who has never been religious or has never even had a chance to grow very much in the things of God, is in a better condition before God if he has a simple, basic response like, “OK God, whatever You want from me, is fine with me.”
Another person may be really concerned that everything he does is just right. He says the right words; his words are in the right place; he stands just right and sits just right; he dresses just right and reads out of the right version of the Bible. But if it is just the letter of the law and not the spirit of the law – all he gets is the praise of men like the Pharisees – not praise from God. The true Jew wants to hear the commendation of God, rather than the sweet talk of men. The true Jew knows the difference of a “well done” from the voice of deity, and the “right on” from the lips of humanity. The true Jew knows that praise from God has no underlying or ulterior motives, but the praise of men may be given for a selfish reason. The true Jew is confident that the praise of God has surpassing significance but the praise of men, for the most part, has no real value.
Summary so far. Common excuses people use when they refuse to admit they are sinners, have been clearly exposed and discounted by what Paul wrote in the first two chapters of Romans. In chapter one, unbelieving people, Gentiles in particular, say, “There is no God” or “I have my conscience that I follow. I don’t need anything else.” In chapter two, religious people, Jews in particular, indicate, “I am not as bad as other people,” “I am a church member,” “I am a religious person.”
The point made is that no one is exempt from the just judgment of a righteous God. Everyone has to face the fact of their own sinfulness that separates them from God. Everyone one is condemned before God. When a person understands that and truly believes it, then no matter who they are, they are in a place of repentance when if they accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior from sin, God gives them the undeserved gift of eternal life. He saves then by His grace alone.