Salvation or the Law?
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Salvation or the Law?
The Jews were very strict in keeping their ceremonial laws. They had a form of religion but lacked faith in God. They were faithful to their teachings but were not forgiven of their sins. They were religious but lost.
Spiritual Pride—vv. 17–20
Spiritual Pride—vv.
Spiritual Pride—vv.
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
Pride—vv. 17–18. Because God gave them the law (the Ten Commandments and other Laws), the Jews thought they were righteous. Cf. .
Pride—vv. 17–18. Because God gave them the law (the Ten Commandments and other Laws), the Jews thought they were righteous. Cf. .
Practice—v. 19. They thought they had the truth and could teach others. They rejected Christ, who was the truth—; . How could they guide others into truth they didn’t have?
Practice—v. 19. They thought they had the truth and could teach others. They rejected Christ, who was the truth—; . How could they guide others into truth they didn’t have?
Plan—v. 20. How could they teach others when they themselves were in darkness? Jesus spoke of the blind leading the blind—An unconverted religious leader cannot lead others to righteous living.
Plan—v. 20. How could they teach others when they themselves were in darkness? Jesus spoke of the blind leading the blind—An unconverted religious leader cannot lead others to righteous living.
Spiritual Practice—vv.
Spiritual Practice—vv.
(NLT)
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
1. The practice—vv. 21–22. “Yes, you teach others—then why don’t you teach yourselves? You tell others not to steal—do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery—do you do it? You say, ‘Don’t pray to idols,’ and then make money your god instead”—LB. They said they knew God, but their works denied it—
1. The practice—vv. 21–22. “Yes, you teach others—then why don’t you teach yourselves? You tell others not to steal—do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery—do you do it? You say, ‘Don’t pray to idols,’ and then make money your god instead”—LB. They said they knew God, but their works denied it—
2. The problem—v. 23. They knew the Old Testament teachings, but they didn’t obey them.
2. The problem—v. 23. They knew the Old Testament teachings, but they didn’t obey them.
3. The pity—v. 24. Because of the poor example of professed Christians, the name of Christ is often treated with disrespect—
3. The pity—v. 24. Because of the poor example of professed Christians, the name of Christ is often treated with disrespect—
Spiritual Purity—vv. 25–29
Spiritual Purity—vv. 25–29
(NLT)
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.
25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.
26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people?
26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people?
27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.
29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
1. Religious or righteous?—vv. 25–26. Practicing a religious act will not make us right with God. The rich ruler obeyed laws but was not a Christian—
1. Religious or righteous?—vv. 25–26. Practicing a religious act will not make us right with God. The rich ruler obeyed laws but was not a Christian—
2. Sacrilegious or sacred—vv. 27–28. Jewish laws did not measure up to God’s laws. It is not what we do but what Christ has done for us that atones for our sins.
2. Sacrilegious or sacred—vv. 27–28. Jewish laws did not measure up to God’s laws. It is not what we do but what Christ has done for us that atones for our sins.
3. Historical or holy—v. 29. God is not looking for a historical religion, but for holy (set apart) people who love and serve Him. See . Only the pure in heart will see God— We must be born again—
3. Historical or holy—v. 29. God is not looking for a historical religion, but for holy (set apart) people who love and serve Him. See . Only the pure in heart will see God— We must be born again—
There are many religious people who will not go to heaven. Only Christ through the new birth can make us righteous—; . His blood will cleanse us from all sin—. He will forgive all sins—. If we confess our sins, He will forgive—. We will be assured of eternal life. The Jewish law couldn’t promise this.
Croft M. Pentz, Expository Outlines from Romans, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1980), 8–9.