The Jews & the Law
Romans 2:17-29 NLT
“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.”
In this portion of scripture from Chapter 2, Paul knocks the Jews down a few pegs by telling them that they teach others the Law, but they should be teaching themselves. They look for ways to justify that which they do which they know acc: to the Law they should not be doing. They do this as if God doesn’t see. They are hypocrites. Take the Pharisees... “In contrast to the two commands of Christ, the Pharisees had developed a system of 613 laws, 365 negative commands and 248 positive laws... By the time Christ came it had produced a heartless, cold, and arrogant brand of righteousness. As such, it contained at least ten tragic flaws.
(1) New laws continually need to be invented for new situations.
(2) Accountability to God is replaced by accountability to men.
(3) It reduces a person’s ability to personally discern.
(4) It creates a judgmental spirit.
(5) The Pharisees confused personal preferences with divine law.
(6) It produces inconsistencies.
(7) It created a false standard of righteousness.
(8) It became a burden to the Jews.
(9) It was strictly external.
(10) It was rejected by Christ*.”
Paul called the religious leaders out regarding their hypocrisy, as it was their way to control the people and elevate themselves. In contrast to the Pharisees many laws, Jesus had just two: the first and greatest commandment was, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind." The second most important commandment is: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself".
Once the Jews accepted the Gentiles into their churches or allowed them to stay if they had come first, the Jewish leaders attempted to force the non-Jew to follow Jewish Laws. The one controversial matter mentioned in scripture was the circumcising of the men. According to the Jews, this made you obedient to God’s wishes and made you truly saved. This, of course, was not true and Paul addressed that issue along with his other problems with the church.
Paul points out that being a true Jew has nothing to do with your lineage or being circumcised, etc. A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. If that is true than you will seek to live as a means of pleasing and honoring God with your life. Those Jews who were seeking to control the non-Jews in their congregation were dishonoring God but attempting to require that which was not required by God for Gentiles. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
In His name & for His glory,
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
Resource: The Life Application Study Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment