Romans 2:21-24
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Paul said:
You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?
You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery?
You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law?
For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you…”
Romans 2:21-24
Paul said this to Jews who prided themselves on their own ability to teach and inspire others to live according to the law, but they themselves didn’t live it. They didn’t practice what they preached.
I was thinking this morning while reading chapter 2 of Romans about how we all often have high expectations for others but compromise much in our own lives. Those of us who have led others to the Lord can relate to this basic example: we admonish our converts to read and pray daily – but do we? Some have deeper sins yet offer great council for others in those same sins!
What’s worse is that there is an amazing ability within the church to ignore these things or somehow justify them but the greater problem this behavior creates is not within the church but among those outside.
Church folks have all to lose if the Name of Christ is tarnished but those who are not a part of the church will not sweep this under a rug. They have nothing to lose and so they call it as they see it! Hypocrisy! Fraud! Self-righteousness!
One of the most cited reasons for people not attending church (or more important – living for Christ) is that “there are hypocrites there”. We take offense or retaliate with something pithy like “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” but admit it – isn’t it the truth? The Name of God is truly blasphemed in our society because of the hypocritical behavior of Christians!
What to do about it? 2nd Timothy 2:19 “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” In Psalm 51 David pours out his heart asking the Lord for forgiveness, restoration and help. After that he says: “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You.” I think he had the order of things right. Lets be folks that make living for God our first priority in life…
Have a euphoric Tuesday!
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