What's In Your Heart
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week our Memory Verse was Romans 2:13.
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.
This verse reminds us that while salvation is a free gift, God’s desire if for every child of His to live an obedient life—to be “a doer of the Word” as James 1:22 says.
But Paul is writing to a diverse audience all living in Rome. Some of his readers are Jewish Christians, while others are Gentile believers.
Now it may be difficult for us to understand some of the cultural differences between this diverse group of readers.
Many of Paul’s Jewish readers believed that even though they had accepted Jesus as the Messiah and were believers, they still needed to keep the Old Testament Law of Moses.
The Gentile believers, on the other hand saw NO value in the Mosaic Law or the Old Testament traditions.
Throughout the passage we looked at last week, Paul built an argument that the Mosaic Law was useless unless the law was written on their hearts—that is unless they were living it out.
In our passage today, Paul is going to tell the reader why the Law of God is important. So if you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Romans chapter 2, and we’ll begin reading with verse 17.
Living Their Faith
Living Their Faith
Paul is going to give us a series of “if’s” to consider
Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
If you call yourself a Jew
If you rely on God’s law
If you boast in God
If you know God’s will
If you approve of what is superior because you know God’s law
If you are convinced that you are:
—A guide for the blind
—A light for those who are in darkness
—An instructor of the foolish
—A teacher of little children
If you believe having the law is gives you complete knowledge and truth—(the embodiment of knowledge and truth)
you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
If all this is true, then why is it when you teach others—you don’t teach yourself?
How this is done?
How this is done?
You preach against stealing—but you steal.
You say you shouldn’t commit adultery, but you commit adultery.
You abhor idols—yet you rob temples.
You boast about the law—but you dishonor God breaking the law!
A lose quote of two verses—Isaiah 52:5
“And now what do I have here?” declares the Lord. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock,” declares the Lord. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed.
And Ezekiel 36:22.
“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.
Because of their inconsistency in applying the Law of God—they have blasphemed God’s name among the Gentiles.
But What About Circumcision
But What About Circumcision
Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
Circumcision only has value if you observe (keep) the law of God.
If you break God’s law, Paul says it is the same as not being circumcised.
Likewise if someone who is not physically circumcised keeps the law’s rules and regulations—Paul asks won’t they be seen as though they were physically circumcised?
KEY 1—Here’s the key—according to Paul.
The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
When an uncircumcised Gentile obeys the law—they are condemning the Jew who breaks the law.
Even if they understand God’s written law, and are circumcised—they are still a lawbreaker!
God desires that we live out our faith in our life! And the way we do this is by obeying God’s Word!
A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
KEY 2—Being a Jew outwardly does not make someone a “Jew.” It’s all about one’s heart!
Likewise being an authentic Christian is more than just acting like a Christian. A true Christian has a transformed heart!
Does Being a Jew Have Some Advantage?
Does Being a Jew Have Some Advantage?
This is the question that Paul asks in Romans 3:1.
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
Advantage 1—The Jews were entrusted with the very words of God!
What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
Paul now asks if some Jews were unfaithful, does that nullify God’s faithfulness?
Paul’s answer—Not at all!
Paul concludes, since every human being is a liar we need to let God show His truthfulness.
Paul quotes part of Psalm 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.
Man’s lies proves God right when He speaks and He will prevail as the righteous Judge!
Should We Sin More to Make God Look Better?
Should We Sin More to Make God Look Better?
Paul now asks the next question that he believes most people will ask.
But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.)
The question is this: if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness—isn’t God unjust when He pours out His wrath on us.
Paul tells us that he’s using a human argument!
The sad thing is that I’ve actually heard people use a form of this argument! I really shouldn’t be surprised since Paul says it is a human argument!
Now Paul gives us the answer to the rhetorical question.
Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?
Paul says the answer is “Certainly not!”
If this human logic was actually logical then God could not judge the world!
Now for another argument.
Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?”
The second argument is, if my ‘falsehood’ enhance God’s truthfulness, then I’m increasing God’s glory.
And if I’m increasing God’s glory—how could He condemn me as a sinner? After all, that wouldn’t be “fair!”
Paul continues in verse 8.
Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
Why not go all the way with the argument—as some accuse us of doing.
All the way would say—We should do evil so that good may be the end result! That’s “situational ethics”—the end justifies the means!
Paul concludes that people who think this way will received their condemnation and it is just condemnation!
SO WHAT
SO WHAT
God wants believers to live obedient to His Word!
Living inconsistent lives can causes a believer to “blaspheme” the name of Jesus.
Some people believe rituals are beneficial—but they are only beneficial if they are coupled with obedience!
God is more concerned about our hearts than anything else.
Like the Jews, believers today have been entrusted with the very Word of God.
Sin does not glorify God, but a righteous life adds (ascribes) glory to God.