Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Romans 2

 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?  You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?  You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? vv.21-23

Read chapter 2
This letter of Romans we have to remember is written to Jews, not gentile believers (though for a brief aside in chapter 11), for this is seen over and over again throughout (1:7, 2:17, 3:9, 4:1, 7:1, 9:3-4 to name a few).  Spiritual pride was going on and Paul's not afraid to call them out.  And how does he do this?  He asks questions.  Questions that will make them think of the answer themselves instead of Paul telling them flat out.  How easy it is when we notice hypocrisy in someone to want to tell them flat out what they've done or do wrong, but how much more are we or others willing to change from our sin when we realize it ourselves.  Sometimes just a simple question can turn a heart for they come to an answer on one's own rather than being told.  These Jews were living in hypocrisy of saying one thing and doing another which caused the gentiles to see blaspheme of God's name.  And this is still sadly an outcome today that non-believers see the hypocrisy of believers and therefore don't want anything to do with God.  Yes we should not trust or distrust in God based on fallen sinful people whether believers or not, but we must know that as believers we're looked at and watched more carefully and under the microscope for any fault to blame God.
What hypocrisy might you be living in and what question has sparked a desire for change in you?
Do you tell people how to live?  How can you ask good questions to others to encourage them in their walk with Christ?  

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