Word@Work Romans19 - Romans 2:17-21a
Published: Mon, 09/12/11
Word@Work from BeaconLight
KNOWING WHAT PLEASES GOD WITHOUT TAKING ACTION - IS BLASPHEMY
Romans 2:17-21a Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth - you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (NIV)
Religious people take pride in knowing about their faith, but people of true faith act on what they know. The Jews, who were part of the Christian church in Rome, were proud of their knowledge of God's Law. They were confident to tell others what was right and what was wrong. But Paul said that they were in danger of being worse than hypocrites if they did not put the truth into action.
It is a constant hazard for every believer, and particularly for those who teach God's Word. By nature we are sinners and even when we know what is right, we often fail - as Paul admitted about himself (Romans 7:14-25). That was why he needed to keep himself disciplined to follow Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:27). Teachers who fail to practise what they preach are a danger to themselves and even more of a danger to others. So this warning needs to be taken seriously.
The problem is widespread. The Pharisees had a very high view of the Scriptures but they did not think they needed to do any more than analyse the text and instruct the people (Luke 11:52). In our day, it is those who strongly affirm the authority of the Bible who are most at risk of falling to that temptation. Knowledge about God without action is blasphemy (Romans 2:24). This uncomfortable thought should make us search our hearts and repent. Whoever we are: father or mother, professor or student, pastor or evangelist, manager or employee, self-employed or unemployed ... if we belong to Jesus, talking is not enough. We all need to learn to obey the Word we claim to honour.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. I thank You for Your Holy Word and for the joy I find in reading it and teaching it to others. However I am sorry for failing to obey You fully; please forgive me. Give me a heart to do what You say because I do love You and want to please You. Help me to be strong in the time of temptation, alert in the moments of quietness, discerning in the times of confusion and passionate for Jesus at all times. In His Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Religious people take pride in knowing about their faith, but people of true faith act on what they know. The Jews, who were part of the Christian church in Rome, were proud of their knowledge of God's Law. They were confident to tell others what was right and what was wrong. But Paul said that they were in danger of being worse than hypocrites if they did not put the truth into action.
It is a constant hazard for every believer, and particularly for those who teach God's Word. By nature we are sinners and even when we know what is right, we often fail - as Paul admitted about himself (Romans 7:14-25). That was why he needed to keep himself disciplined to follow Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:27). Teachers who fail to practise what they preach are a danger to themselves and even more of a danger to others. So this warning needs to be taken seriously.
The problem is widespread. The Pharisees had a very high view of the Scriptures but they did not think they needed to do any more than analyse the text and instruct the people (Luke 11:52). In our day, it is those who strongly affirm the authority of the Bible who are most at risk of falling to that temptation. Knowledge about God without action is blasphemy (Romans 2:24). This uncomfortable thought should make us search our hearts and repent. Whoever we are: father or mother, professor or student, pastor or evangelist, manager or employee, self-employed or unemployed ... if we belong to Jesus, talking is not enough. We all need to learn to obey the Word we claim to honour.
Prayer: Dear Lord God. I thank You for Your Holy Word and for the joy I find in reading it and teaching it to others. However I am sorry for failing to obey You fully; please forgive me. Give me a heart to do what You say because I do love You and want to please You. Help me to be strong in the time of temptation, alert in the moments of quietness, discerning in the times of confusion and passionate for Jesus at all times. In His Name. Amen.
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