Spoken at SGBC

8-17-97

Romans #13

2:17-29

The Making of A Real Jew

(Romans 2:17-29 NASB) "But if you bear the name "Jew," and RELY upon the Law, and boast in God, {18} and know His will, and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, {19} and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, {20} a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, {21} you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? {22} You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? {23} You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? {24} For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written. {25} For indeed circumcision is of value, if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. {26} If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? {27} And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? {28} FOR HE IS NOT A JEW WHO IS ONE OUTWARDLY; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. {29} BUT HE IS A JEW WHO IS ONE INWARDLY; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God."

As you read the first few chapters of the book of Romans you realize that Paul's interest is one of demolition. He must demolish the sinner's false hopes of heaven before he tells them how men are really saved.

The Jews give us a good picture of the many things people of every race and nationality rely upon for acceptance with God. We must understand that to trust in anything but the blood and righteousness of Christ is like hiding one's self in a fortress made of paper in order to avoid the fiery indignation of God. There is no protection in a paper fortress. The only hiding place for sinners is Jesus Christ the Lord. Paul is intent on demolishing all the false hopes and hiding places that have been created by men.

In chapters one and two he works on tearing down the Jewish hideouts called law, religion and ancestry. The Apostle has shown in verses twelve through sixteen that all men have some form of the law of God in their possession and will be judged by that standard. Keep the law perfectly from the cradle to the grave and you will live. On the other hand, fail to keep the law in even one point and Hell will be your reward. The lesson is obvious. No one, Jew or Gentile can be justified by the law for no man can keep God's law perfectly.

In the text that concerns us this morning Paul continues the demolition of false beliefs. He speaks as if he is face to face with a Jew. Look with me at verse seventeen.

(Romans 2:17 NASB) But if you bear the name "Jew," and rely upon the Law, and boast in God . . ."

The name Jew goes back to the time when Leah, wife of Jacob, gave birth to Judah, the name Judah means, "praise." The word Jew comes from the name Judah and describes the chosen people of God. They would be loved, blessed and in a sense praised or honored by God. The Jews understood this and were proud to be called Jew. Problem was they trusted in that name. They believed that just being born a Jew made them right with God. This is one room in the paper fortress that Paul intends to destroy.

That it is futile to trust in ones race or national association is easy to show from the scriptures. Consider the words of John 1:12-13 NASB. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, {13} who were born (born again) not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." The New International Version gives us some assistance as concerns the meaning of these two verses. (John 1:12-13 NIV) Yet to all who received him, (Meaning) to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- (Now he explains how these new children of God became children.) {13} children born not of natural descent, (Meaning their rebirth had nothing to do with being born a Jew.) nor of human decision or a husband's will, (Which is to say, no human can will their own salvation or that of another. A father cannot will the salvation of his children nor can a husband will the salvation of his wife. How then are sinners saved? The answer follows.) but born of God." That is, the sinner is born again by the will and power of God and that alone. So, to hide one's self in a paper fortress made of ones ancestral name is to have no protection from the wrath of God at all. There is no salvation provided to man based on the blood that runs in his veins or the nation he is born into. The paper fortress continues to crumble.

It is no news to this congregation that the Jews relied on the law for acceptance with God. (Romans 2:17 NASB) But if you bear the name "Jew," and RELY UPON THE LAW, AND BOAST IN GOD,"

This people rested in the law given to them by God through Moses. They believed that the mere possession of it made them right with God. Therefore, they were at rest. They were not anxious about eternity. The modern day equivalent of such misplaced trust might be the person who declares, "I have a Bible, therefore, I am a Christian and will go to Heaven when I die." This sounds foolish to us yet this is exactly what the Jews were doing. They were the chosen nation. They had been blessed with the revelation of the law of God and in this they rested.

Verse eighteen tells us that because they possessed God's Law the Jews knew God's will. (Romans 2:17-18 NASB) But if you bear the name "Jew," and rely upon the Law, and boast in God, {18} AND KNOW HIS WILL, and approve the things that are ESSENTIAL, being instructed out of the Law,"

The Jews above all people on earth knew the will of God for man. They knew what was essiential and what was not. What should be done and what should not. This knowledge should have been life changing but it was not because they did not believe God's word and promises. Hear the word of the Lord.

(Hebrews 4:2 NASB) "For indeed we (The Apostles and other New Testament Christians.) have had good news preached to us, just as they also; (The Jews of the Old Testament had the Gospel preached to them.) but THE WORD THEY HEARD DID NOT PROFIT THEM, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNITED BY FAITH in those who heard." When the text says "the word did not profit them" it means that they were not converted to God by faith in the promises set forth in the scriptures they possessed. They had the law but they did not believe what it said. The Jews, on the whole, were a faithless and, therefore, a lost people.

The knowledge of God's word should have humbled them but instead it made them proud to the point they exalted themselves over other men. Look with me at Romans 2:19-20 NASB. Here we see how the Jews thought of themselves. Paul says of them you ". . . are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, {20} a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth."

The Jews were the people of God. Everyone else, in their opinion, was outside the circle of knowledge and blessing. God belonged to them and no one else. The truth is they were blind to God's truth like everyone else. Yet they promised to lead people who were blind. They were darkness themselves pretending to show others the light. They were fools calling others foolish. They needed to be taught yet they believed they were teachers of the immature. This arrogance sprang from the fact that they were Jews and had possession of God's Law. In the following portion of our text Paul shows that just knowing God's truth is of no value whatever.

(Romans 2:21-24 NASB) " . .you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one should not steal, do you steal? {22} You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? {23} You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? {24} For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written."

Paul is saying that the Jews did not practice what they preached! They taught others not to steal yet they were thieves in many different ways. The Jews taught others not to commit adultery yet they practiced this sin literally and, as all humans do, in their minds. Jesus himself called the Jews of his day an adulterous generation. The problem was especially bad among the so called, "Lamps of Light," a title of honor given to the Jewish teachers and leaders. The problem was so bad one great Rabbi suggested that adultery cases not even be brought to trial since so many people were involved. In spite of the predominance of this sin in their midst they continued to preach, "You shall not commit adultery."

In verse twenty two Paul accuses the Jews of preaching against Idolatry while at the same time they robbed heathen temples of their treasures. They did so in spite of specific warnings in the scriptures against such pillage. The only time the Jew was allowed to take idols into their possession was when they intended to destroy them. The Jews however were robbing pagan temples for the monetary value of the idol. The book of Acts suggests this practice of robbing temples. See Acts 19:36-37. Further the Jewish Historian Josephus records specific instances of Jews robbing heathen temples, (You can find the works of Josephus in our library. Antiquities 4:8,10).

It is no wonder the Jews were known among the Gentiles as thieves, adulterers, and temple robbers. Far from pleasing God they caused the Gentiles to blaspheme against God! Look with me at Romans 2:23-24 NASB.

"You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? {24} For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written."

How did the Jews cause this blasphemy? They did so by presenting themselves to the nations as the children of God while living like children of the Devil. It boils down to hypocrisy. It was then as it is today. A Christian's life speaks louder than his words. When a professing Christian lives like an unbeliever he causes those who see to dishonor, disrespect and disbelieve God. The Jews were masters of hypocrisy.

There is one room left in the Jew's paper fortress and that is Circumcision. This was the great identifying mark of the male Jew. It was the covenant symbol and a great source of pride. These people placed much trust and confidence in Circumcision. So much so it was said among the ancients that Abraham himself was seated at the gates of hell to make sure no circumcised person entered there. According to the Jews, to be circumcised was to be saved from ever entering hell!

The modern day equivalent of such misplaced faith can take many forms. The most common of which is when one trusts in Baptism for acceptance with God. The Bible DOES NOT equate Baptism with Circumcision but many people do and trust in Baptism just as the Jew trusted in Circumcision. There is no salvation in either of these religious acts. We must remember that true religion is a religion of a changed heart. True Christianity begins in the heart and then moves obediently to the Baptismal pool to give testimony of the salvation that has already come. Baptism is a sign of salvation not its cause. Baptism is of no value without a new heart. Likewise Circumcision was of no value to the Jew if he did not possess a new heart. The sign was just a sign, it could not save. Let's hear Paul on this.

(Romans 2:25-29 NASB) "For indeed circumcision is of value, IF you practice the Law; but IF you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. {26} If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? {27} And will not he who is physically uncircumcised, (The Gentile.) IF he keeps the Law, will he not judge you (The Jew.) who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? {28} FOR HE IS NOT A JEW WHO IS ONE OUTWARDLY; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. {29} But HE IS A JEW WHO IS ONE INWARDLY; AND CIRCUMCISION IS THAT WHICH IS OF THE HEART, BY THE SPIRIT, NOT BY THE LETTER; and his praise is not from men, but from God." In other words Paul is saying to the Jewish people, your circumcision is worthless unless you have a new heart! Circumcision, like Baptism, means nothing to those who are not born again by the Spirit of God. Both Circumcision and Baptism are rooms in a paper fortress that will not stand the heat of the coming judgement of God.

The most profound of Paul's remarks is the statement that one who is a Jew by blood and circumcision only is not a true Jew at all! Faith in God through Christ is what makes a person a real Jew, a member of the true nation of Israel. The real Jew is the Ethiopian who, with a new heart, believes in Christ for salvation. The real Jew is a Mexican National with a new heart and faith in Christ for salvation. The real Jew is the Christian. The real nation of Israel consists of all born again believers in Jesus Christ no matter what nation they are from. Every person born again by the grace of God through faith in Christ is real a Jew, a member of the chosen nation, the object of God's love and mercy.

Thus the apostle has shown that one is not saved from the wrath to come by ancestry, outward privilege, keeping the law, circumcision, baptism, taking communion or by joining a church. "Sinners are saved when they turn from all hope in themselves to trust Jesus' blood and righteousness to make them acceptable to God."

With this Paul has demolished the paper fortress in which men place their trust and hope of Heaven. This frail and flimsy building was built of law keeping, human association, and empty religion. Later on in Romans Paul will reveal the Gospel. The good news that though salvation is impossible with men God has and will continue to save His people through faith in His Son Jesus Christ.

The good news is this. Sinners are saved from the guilt and consequences of their sin when they turn to trust in Christ. Therefore a Christian is one who has turned from all hope of pleasing God by things done with the hands. He has come to see himself as all together sinful and helpless to do anything about it. He has been caused by the Holy Spirit to see that Jesus is the only hope, the only way to God. This person runs to Christ for forgiveness and salvation. He will be saved from the wrath to come. The Christian does not boast in his own goodness. He does not speak of his ancestry. He does not glory in his baptism. He does not attempt to hide from God in such paper fortresses. The Christian's confidence is Christ and he speaks like this.

Upon a life I did not live,

Upon a death I did not die

Another's life, Another's death

I trust my whole eternity

Place your hope of heaven in Jesus alone and you will be saved from the wrath to come.