The Jew, The Law, and The Gospel

It is certainly true that you cannot do a fully study of Romans without digging deep into the issue of the relationship between the Law of Moses, Israel, the Church, and Salvation. This is a deep and complex issue that many pastors avoid because of the complexity of the topic. Ultimately, we will come to a place where we must address the issue of ‘Replacement Theology.’ Replacement theology (also known as supersessionism and fulfillment theology) essentially teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. This is most common in reformed circles as well as those who promote Kingdom-Now Ideals.

Romans 2:17–29 ESV

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

The Jewish Salvation

There is too much in this topic to try to cover in 1 or 2 studies. Rather than try to break the topic of Judaism and salvation down here, we will continue to address these issues as Paul addresses the questions throughout the Book of Romans. Suffice it to say from the beginning that the Bible clearly teaches throughout the New Testament that the Church and Israel are two distinct entities and should never be confused or used interchangeably. Even though, as a church, there is much to be learned from Israel as to God’s character, blessings, spiritual warfare, principles of godliness, prophecy, and the Kingdom. Scripture teaches us plainly that the Church was born on the Day of Pentecost and will continue in its Great Commission until the Rapture (cf. Ephesians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

John 4:22 ESV

22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.

What is God’s purpose for Israel now and in the future?

Still, this begs the question, what is God’s purpose for Israel now and in the future? Clearly, the Bible teaches us that Israel plays a prominent role in the time to come and the restoration of Israel as a Nation is significant to the end times. Although the Church and Israel are distinct, we are also not separate in the Kingdom of God as Christ is the unifier of all things. In Romans 11:11-24 Paul talks about how Gentile believers are grafted into the natural branches (Israel). Although Jesus was rejected by Israel as prophesied by Isaiah (Isaiah 52-53) we know that when Jesus returns he will be revealed to the Jews as the promised Davidic King who will fully restore Israel (cf Matthew 11-12, Acts 3:19-22)

Matthew 23:39 ESV

39 For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”

What is God’s purpose for Israel now and in the future?

So clearly this will be an ongoing topic and important for us to fully understand. But there is another issue we need to understand. Israel is God’s chosen nation, but being a Jew does not automatically bring salvation.

Deuteronomy 7:6 ESV

6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

The question is does this qualify them as automatically saved

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 3:1–8 ESV

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Luke 3:7–8 ESV

7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.

The Jewish Salvation

The Christian concept of salvation from sin has no equivalent in modern Judaism. Judaism does not believe that man, by his nature, is evil or sinful and therefore does not teach that man has a need to be “saved” from an eternal damnation. In fact, most Jews today do not believe in a place of eternal punishment or a literal hell. When a Jew sins or fails to fulfill the laws of God, the belief is that he can obtain forgiveness through prayer, repentance, and doing good deeds.

The Jewish Salvation

So how do we rectify the idea that Israel is God’s chosen people, but apart from the blood of Jesus they cannot be saved? This is a major theme Paul is connecting in Romans and getting us to the heart of his argument. You see, firsts he makes it clear that salvation is for everyone who believes, first to the Jew and then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16) Then he brings the fact that no natural man can be saved apart from God and due to God’s majesty on display (Romans 1:25). And at the start of Romans 2:1 Paul declares that no one is without excuse, especially those who claim to be righteous, but go about practicing the same things they accuse others of doing.

Romans 2:9–11 ESV

9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

The Security of Salvation

Now, what Paul is reminding the readers in verses 17-29 is to avoid a false sense of security because they hold the Law. The law is not meant to be a means of security, but rather a reminder of the sinfulness in every man and our dependence on God for His provision of Salvation.

Matthew 5:20 ESV

20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Titanic

Probably the best illustration of this is being a passenger of the Titanic. There was a false sense of security being on the unsinkable ship. No one cared about the life boats until they discovered their security was awakened by the fact that the unsinkable ship was indeed sinking.

In the 1997 movie, there is an exchange between the ship’s architect, Thomas Andrews and the Chairman of White Star Line:

Andrews: The pumps will buy you time, but minutes only. From this moment on, no matter what we do, Titanic will founder.

Ismay: But this ship can't sink!

Andrews: She is made of iron, sir. I assure you, she can. And she “will”. It is a mathematical certainty.

The Security of Salvation

Every person, Jew or Gentile, must be careful about boasting or comparing our righteousness against the unrighteousness of another person. Our security is not found in our good works or religiousness. It is found in Jesus Christ alone and his atonement on the Cross. That is the only means we have of being in good standing before God.

Substitutionary Atonement

We call this in theological terms, Substitutionary Atonement. In other words, that Jesus Christ, the only true righteous one as the Son of God, took on the punishment for us on himself. We also call this the propitiation of our sins; the satisfaction of God for the penalty of our sins and for reconciliation to God from our sins.

Romans 3:23–25 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 2:24 ESV

24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

Isaiah 53:5 ESV

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

The Security of Salvation

That is the only security any man, Jew or Gentile, has in our relationship with God. Here in verses 17-29, Paul is reminding the Jewish believers of that point. Now does that mean that being Jewish is meaningless. Not at all, but it does not mean when it comes to salvation, that the Jew can be counted more righteous or more deserving of salvation over the Gentile. Rather, the blessing of Messiah should be even more treasured.

Micah 3:1 ESV

1 And I said: Hear, you heads of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel! Is it not for you to know justice?—

The Security of Salvation

So instead of boasting in the Law, the Jew is to boast in God. What was happening in the church with the Jews back then and can often happen in the Church today is that they were going around teaching others what to do and not to do all the while being themselves transgressors. They’re preaching against stealing, or adultery, or idolotry, while they themselves are practicing those exact things. Instead of bringing honor to God, their hypocrisy was defaming the Gospel and blaspheming God.

Matthew 7:3–5 ESV

3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.

Circumcise Your Heart!

To close out Chapter 2, Paul refers to the idea of Circumcision. Many Jews regarded circumcision as a sign of their righteousness. Because they physically looked Jewish mean that they were secure in their standing with God. Paul is quick to correct them.

Romans 2:28–29 ESV

28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Deuteronomy 10:16 ESV

16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.

Deuteronomy 30:6 ESV

6 And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Jeremiah 4:4 ESV

4 Circumcise yourselves to the Lord; remove the foreskin of your hearts, O men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem; lest my wrath go forth like fire, and burn with none to quench it, because of the evil of your deeds.”

1 Corinthians 7:19 ESV

19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

Circumcise Your Heart!

We can say the same thing: “Well, I’m Catholic… or Baptist… or Brethren… or Lutheran… or I’m a member of this church.” None of these things matter. What matters to God is the uncovering of your heart to him. Removing the barriers and the idolotry of your heart and exposing yourself to him in humility. The outer things of your life are not conditions of your standing with God and your salvation. Your religiousness, nationality, heritage, denomination, membership, attendance, knowledge, or works. That doesn’t mean these things aren’t important, they are just not conditions of your righteousness before God. True salvation is a matter of the heart.