Grace and Peace Episode Season 2 Episode 10
Presbyterian Church of Easton
March 27, 2022
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
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.”
Paul is writing to a diverse church in Rome. Many of the members of this church were once jewish. They remained ethnically Jewish and still practiced some jewish customs. They have held on to many of their traditional practices.
Paul starts by looking at a problem in the church. The jewish converts believe that they have a special privilege. They process the Torah, or Law of God. Because they have the Torah, the jewish converts believe that they should be the teachers in the church. Paul deals with this claim of special privilege by pointing out the distinction between having the Law of God and obeying it.
It doesn’t matter how many Bibles you own. It doesn’t matter how many Bibles you have worn out with constant use. It doesn’t matter how many Bible studies you have attended. If you want to be a Bible teacher in the church you must do what the Bible says. If you teach one thing but behave differently you are open to the charge of being a hypocrite. This is why teachers in the church must have and follow high moral standards. They must do what they profess.
There seems to be problems in the Roman church with adultery, theft and sacrilege. Participating in any of these behaviors disqualifies someone who wants to teach the Bible. It is not enough to have a Bible or know what the Bible says. You must obey the Bible if you want to teach it in the church.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, bless our church with qualified pastors and teachers. Help us to find a new pastor and Sunday school teacher who not only know the word of God, but also have a strong desire to obey it. And help us to learn what is in the Bible and do what it says. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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