THE LAW OF THE SPIRIT
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Gracious God, for teaching me through your Word, showing me how to come to you, to live for you, and proclaim your goodness to those around me.
Read ROMANS 2:17—29
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Romans
Romans 2
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark,
20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal?
22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised.
26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised?
27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Reflect
‘… through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.’1
Today’s sermon is given by an unremarkable-looking man called Paul.2 ‘Call yourself a Christian!’ (applying it to yourself) he begins, then continues, pointing out our failures in no uncertain terms. Now, try to imagine the impact of the apostle Paul’s words on the Jewish believers in the Roman church (v. 17). The law and circumcision were their unique signs of being special (vv. 17, 25), yet Paul demolishes the reasons for their pride.
Do we see ourselves as guides for the blind, wise instructors of those who don’t know the truth (vv. 19, 20)? Paul brings some disturbing words: ‘you … teach others’ but you do not teach yourself (v .21). The Jews were asserting their reliance on the law and boasted in God, yet they were privately breaking the very laws they taught others to follow (vv. 21—24). For his Jewish hearers, the words and ideas were shocking. Might we Christians, overfamiliar with gospel teaching, sometimes be in danger of similar attitudes? When we rely on our own righteousness, God is not honored (v. 24).
Along with reliance on the law went the physical sign of Jewish commitment to the law—circumcision (v. 25). This was another sign of their superiority (v. 17) as the special, chosen people of God. Yet, if they did not keep the law, it was worthless. In fact, Paul says, those who do not have the law and are not physically circumcised—yet keep God’s law—are superior (v. 27)! It’s not outward signs of faith that impress God (vv. 28, 29), but the signs of the Spirit’s inward work (v. 29). He has written his law in our hearts, and our commitment to his Word is seen in Spirit-directed living. Others might not be impressed, but God is pleased.
Apply
Whose praise are we seeking? We can become so immersed in our own familiar ideas that we fail to hear what God might be saying to us. Stay alert to the Spirit’s voice.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to live my life in ways that are ever mindful of your will and my calling. Make my testimony consistent in word and deed with all you said and did.
1 Rom 8:2 2 2 Cor 10:10.
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