ROMANS 2:21-29 DISHONORING GOD 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 the Gospel is teaching the minimum requirements 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.
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.
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."
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.
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!
What is about the outward show that makes it so despised; People hear the words we say, but watch us living lies. That inconsistent way of living turns people from spoken truth. And they will be caused to believe the Bible is of little worth.
To say one thing and do another has always been a sin. One needs to search the heart and spirit before one even begins To tell other people the Gospel message so that they might be saved. I need to review not just the truth, but how I do behave.
It dishonors God to profess to speak for Him and not obey His Word. I have no right to speak for Him if I don't honor Him as Lord. Holy things that are spoken must be reinforced by my life. But that is only meaningful if I am walking in the light.
There is no way to expect people to believe if I don't practice what I preach. Reality in my life must be seen if others I am seeking to reach With the Gospel and the truth of God that will affect destiny and life change, It is incumbent on me to determine if there are things to rearrange.
People hear my words, but see gestures and facial expressions too. The words I speak are acceptable if they are consistent with what I do.
The "Lord's messenger in the message" are not written words so trite. They are evidence to others that what I have to say is right.
It is impossible to hide reality from all those folks who watch. If what they see is winsome to them, the message they might catch. It is not the praise of men I need but the approval of a holy God, That alone can give weight and power when I stand to speak a word.
"Lord God who knows the heart, I pray this morning that Thou will keep Thy servant from being "wordy" and self-righteous when speaking publicly. May all that I have to say be supported by what I am and do. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."
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.
“O Father, please help me never to fake it or try to be something I am not. At the same time, Father, I do not want to be careless or indifferent about holy things. I really need help to be kept totally honest. I ask this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
ORACLES OF GOD When one has been given the responsibility of receiving and committing to use the “oracles of God” – His laws, His word, His truth, His revealed mind, His will; that person has a huge responsibility. This commitment is more than priestly garments, for they are put on the outside to impress other men of an important role to be fulfilled. This commitment is more than public participation in worship or service, for this can be learned and practiced by repetition. This commitment is more than leading a group of people down the path of truth and righteousness, for this can be done properly but for the wrong motives.
A Jew inwardly, knows who he is because he knows who God is. He knows who God is because he knows God. He knows God because he has put personal faith in Him. He has personal faith in God because he knows who he is himself. He knows who he is himself because he knows God’s Word. He knows God’s Word because he has read it for himself. He has read it for himself because he has realized his own need and spiritual condition before God. He knows he needs God and has accepted, in a personal way, the provision God has made to meet his need. He knows that as a genuine believer, he cuts off deliberately, anything that is not like God and/or does not please God. He knows that “cutting off” is not just an external act, but takes place in the inner recesses of the heart in order to be genuine. He knows the form or letter of a thing, is far exceeded by the spirit of the matter.
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.
“My Father in heaven: Please keep me from being satisfied with what I see or men say. I want to live and serve Thee without being the object of human praise, but that all glory for every thing, big or little, will all go to Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”