Marks of Inauthentic Faith

Introduction

Paul picks up where he left off discussing the benefits of being a Jew, but he really begins by challenging what does it mean to be a true Jew. The whole section begins with a statement that they are called Jews in vs 17 and ends with a contradiction that the true Jew is one who is one inwardly. This entire chapter has had a sub theme of dealing with those who a religious, righteous acting; but in reality fall far short. While Paul is directly addressing the Jews in this text, I believe there is a lesson for us to receive because we often fall into the same line of thinking.

There are many in Christianity who claim the name of Christ and yet the evidence of their lives seems to fall short of what they claim. It is often assumed that because you claim to be a Christian you must be one. Atheists like to argue against Christianity by pointing out that Christian nations commited the pogroms against the Jews or the Crusades. And yet we know for a fact it is impossible for a nation to be truly Christian. Many attend church services around the world today and yet do not know the saving love of Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 7:22–23 “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Jesus said you would know false teachers because their lives would show for signs. I believe 1 John gives us a host of birthmarks of what it means to be a believer, but our text here gives us the Marks of Inauthentic Faith.

How the Jews thought of themselves

Romans 2:17–20 “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.”

It is important to understand how the Jews thought of themselves:

Trusted in the law

They were God’s people

They knew God’s will

They know how to make decisions based on his will

Confidence in their knowledge

Teachers of the law to the simple and immature

These were people who knew the word of God, they tried to make right decisions, they thought they had a relationship with God and they tried to teach others about God. Is it possible for someone like that to truly not be saved? You would think not. They lives look so good.

I read a story of a Baptist preacher who grew up in church during the time of WWII. One day he asked to join the church, but when his mother asked him why there was no mention of salvation. He hadn’t wrestled with his sin, but he was allowed to join and considered himself a Christian. Later he went into the ministry and studied in theological college but was taught by New Age seekers and liberal theologians. After being kicked out of one church, he went to an even more liberal college. It was then that he started to begin to look back into the bible. He began to believe the bible and was converted. So is it possible for even a preacher to be lost? Yes it is.

What their actual problem was

Romans 2:20 “An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.”

Here was their actual problem, they had the form of truth but not the reality. Our verse here uses the word form some translations use embodiment. I believe form is the better translation in this passage. Form- the act of forming something into a particular shape

Evidence for translating this as form:

1. 2 Timothy 3:5 “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2. The word which modifies the teachers and not the law.

3. Paul is showing their hypocrisy

So their problem was they looked good on the outside, they had the form of truth; but something was missing on the inside. Pharisees were really strong about practicing every little detail of the law and they added some of their own. Everyone looking on the outside would have said they were such righteous, holy men.

You can grow up in church, act the way everyone expects you to act. Look good on the outside and still be lost as a goose in a snow storm.

Marks of Inauthentic Faith

Romans 2:21–24 “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.”

Paul endeavors to describe for us how he knows that their faith is not authentic in vs 21-24. And I believe we can ask ourselves the same questions when we evaluate our lives. These are signs you might not truly believe, but they are not guarantees because even Christians act like this at times. But we ought to wrestle with what Paul is saying here.

Our knowledge of God and his word is only theoretical- teachest not thyself- Some people have a lot of head knowledge about God but it has never changed their lives. They have all the right answers and can tell you what the bible teaches. We do a good job raising our kids to know the bible, but that isn’t the same thing as knowing God. Yes, it is a means to knowing God, but it isn’t knowing God.

Moral superiority- teachest, preachest, sayest- These Jews took pride in their knowledge. They took it upon themselves to make sure everyone knew what they thought. I have noticed that some of the most carnal, judgmental Christians are those who look like they have their act together on the outside. They wear all the right clothes, listen to the right music, come to church pretty faithfully; but when it comes down to how they treat people: they look down their noses with disdain. Being a teacher isn’t the problem. The problem is not looking at our own lives. This leads us to feel morally superior to everyone else.

Hypocrisy- The third mark is hypocrisy. They secretly are doing the same things that they condemn. Jesus described the Pharisees in Matthew 23:3 “All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.” They preach but they don’t practice.

steal

adultery

sacrilege- unclear in the meaning of how they were doing this but at the time, rules that forbad using item taken when conquering pagan temples. Deuteronomy 7:25 “The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.” There seems to have been a relaxing of these rules in Judaism where they would melt down the idols and things of the temple and then refashion them for the Jewish temple. The word abhorrest here means to turn away from a foul smell.

breaking the law- Just as the Gentiles did not glorify God in Romans 1:21 “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Paul concludes that the Jews have not glorified God. He again accuses them of knowing what they should be doing but not doing it. Vs 24 is a reference to Isaiah 52:5 “Now therefore, what have I here, saith the Lord, That my people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them make them to howl, saith the Lord; And my name continually every day is blasphemed.” Ezekiel 36:22 “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.”

no inner relationship with God Romans 2:29 “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.” This is probably the biggest sign that you might not have authentic faith: if you do not walk with God. True religion and faith in Jesus produces a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Some are immature in their faith, but their ought to be a hunger and desire after God. There is an inner change of heart and spirit in us.

Conclusion

Paul is in essence saying you aren’t a real Jew. He will make this argument again throughout the book. These four marks provide us the evidence that he ushers forth to prove they are not authentic Jews. There knowledge of God is merely intellectual, they are morally superior to everyone else, they are hypocrite in the way they live and they have no inner relationship with God. While we are not Jews, I think Paul message applies to us as well because if they had been authentic Jews they would also have been Christians responding to Paul’s gospel.

Paul elsewhere challenged the church of Corinth 2 Corinthians 13:5–6 “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.” It is not wrong to examine ourselves to make sure we are not reprobates to see whether we are in the faith.

In a moment, the piano will play every head will be bowed and eyes closed. I want to ask this morning, do you know you are saved. If Paul were to argue these four marks are present in your life what would you say? Salvation is not a game; so I challenge you to make sure of your answer today.