Proper Perspective
Romans 2:17-24
THE PROBLEM WAS PERVERSION AND MISPLACED EMPHASIS; AN IMPROPER PERSPECTIVE
An example of perverting something good is seen in Israel’s view of an “instrument” of God, the bronze serpent (Numbers 21:6-9). The bronze serpent is a foreshadowing of the cross! John 3:14-15 “14As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.” But they worship the serpent rather than God. 2 Kings 18:4 “He removed the high places and broke down the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah. He also broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel burned incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”
WEARING THE NAME JEW
Being a Jew was good and not to be despised (Deuteronomy 7:6-8). God used and blessed them (Romans 9:4-5). But Christianity is not a nationalistic religion. Salvation (1:16), tribulation and distress (2:9), glory and honor and peace (2:10) is for Jews and Greeks depending on their deeds not nationality.
RELY UPON THE LAW
This is good (Psalm 1:2; 119:14-24) but “they trusted in what God had given rather than in God Himself” Blakely. They exulted in the fact that they had the law of God but not in the law of God and not in Whom it spoke of. John 5:39-40 “39You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”
BOAST IN GOD
This is good (Psalm 44:8) but they boasted that God was the God of the Jews, their God, as though He was their possession and their God only. “He was theirs” rather than “they were His”. Romans 3:29 “Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also”
KNOW HIS WILL
This is good (Colossians 1:9) but knowledge never brought about righteousness. It was the doing of the law that was commended. Boasting in knowledge of the things of God is being addressed. It goes like this “Oh, but we have the truth” however, as our text will state those who knew the things of God disobeyed them just as those who didn’t know them. Our boasting is not in knowledge of His will but in His will. Galatians 3:12 “However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, ‘He who practices them shall live by them.’”
APPROVE THE THINGS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL
This is good (Philippians 1:9-10) but they were binding their traditions as things that are essential or excellent. Jesus said that the scribes and Pharisees were: “forsaking the commandment of God for the sake of their traditions.”
BEING INSTRUCTED OUT OF THE LAW
This is good (Deuteronomy 6:7) but the law couldn’t make a man righteous. Knowledge of Scripture is good and commendable but cannot make a man righteous by itself. Jesus said that if we leave our first love and do not repent He will remove our lampstand (Revelation 2:1-5).
CONFIDENT THAT YOU ARE A GUIDE, A LIGHT, A CORRECTOR, AND A TEACHER
This is good (Matthew 5:16) and sought after (Colossians 1:9-10) but the Jews considered themselves these things simply because of they were, as they often stated, children of Abraham.
THE EMBODIMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND OF THE TRUTH
This is good but without the substance it is nothing. This means they had the outline and the blue print for righteousness but were only hearers and not doers.
PREACHING AGAINST STEALING
This is good but be consistent. There are many forms of stealing. Jesus spoke about taking advantage of widows and stealing souls. Matthew 23:14-15 “14Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows; houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.” 15Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” False teaching for pay is stealing. 2 Peter 2:3 “and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” Withholding of tithes and offerings is stealing. Malachi 3:8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.”
PREACHING AGAINST ADULTERY
This is good but they were committing spiritual adultery with one foot in the world and one in the church (James 4:1-4).
PREACHING AGAINST IDOLS
This is good (Deuteronomy 7:25-26) but they were robbing temples in that they profited from clever preaching and ear tickling. Paul preached Christ, not in cleverness of speech or worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:1-5) nor did Peter follow old wives tales (2 Peter 1:16).
Some priests were known for offering blemished sacrifices as some Christians may offer themselves as blemished sacrifices or with a burdened heart in the matter (Malachi 1:8, 14).
BOASTING IN THE LAW
This is good (Psalm 19) but they were boasting in the law while breaking it. They were dishonoring God. Be a doer not just a hearer (James 1:21-22).
THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU