Please read the following section carefully, it comes from Romans 2:17-24. There are three versions of it because I believe that it will be more helpful in the understanding of what I am going to try and say.
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (NIV)
17 What about you? You call yourself a Jew. You trust in the law of Moses and brag that you are close to God.18 You know what he wants you to do and what is important, because you have learned the law.19 You think you are a guide for the blind and a light for those who are in darkness.20 You think you can show foolish people what is right and teach those who know nothing. You have the law; so you think you know everything and have all truth. 21 You teach others, so why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but you steal.22 You say that others must not take part in adultery, but you are guilty of that sin. You hate idols, but you steal from temples.23 You brag about having God's law, but you bring shame to God by breaking his law,24 just as the Scriptures say: "Those who are not Jews speak against God's name because of you." (NCV)
17-24If you're brought up Jewish, don't assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you're an insider to God's revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God's revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I'm quite serious. While preaching "Don't steal!" are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, "It's because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God," shows it's an old problem that isn't going to go away. (The Message)
As I was reading a devo this past week at Western Buckeye Christian Service Camp, I read the above passage of verses. In this section Paul is addressing the Jews and their reliance on the law. However, I see much more in this passage then a critique of the Jews, I see a critique of some Christians. As I read this my mind was drawn to the church in America today. Scandals rock every denomination and there are false teachers in abundance. Members of the church will say one thing and then do the exact opposite. Verse 24 is what really stands out though. This is what we should take to heart. While he appears to be addressing teachers in this passage I believe that it can be aimed at all those in the church, for we will all be teaching in one way or another whether in a class or just talking to someone at the water cooler. We must be careful not to go back on what we tell someone for whether it seems big or small, it will not matter to the person it affects. This verse (verse 24) is found in the Old Testament in two places. In Isaiah 52:5 and Ezekiel 36:22. (See them below) We often think that we are doing soo much better than the Jews of old but when we actually stop and look at what is going on around us we realize that the problems of today trace back not only to the New Testament church but even back into the days of the Jews of the Old Testament.
We must work hard to not cause people to think badly of our Lord and God.
Isaiah 52:5 "Now see what has happened," says the Lord.
"Another nation has taken away my people for nothing.
This nation who rules them makes fun of me," says the Lord.
"All day long they speak against me. (NCV)
Ezekiel 36:22 "Therefore, tell Israel, 'Message of God, the Master: I'm not doing this for you, Israel. I'm doing it for me, to save my character, my holy name, which you've blackened in every country where you've gone. I'm going to put my great and holy name on display, the name that has been ruined in so many countries, the name that you blackened wherever you went..." (The Message)
Ezekiel 36:22 "So say to the people of Israel, 'This is what the Lord God says: Israel, I am going to act, but not for your sake. I will do something to help my holy name, which you have dishonored among the nations where you went.
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