I. The Word: Romans 2:17-23

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?

22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?

23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law.

II. Reflection Questions:

1. How does calling yourself a “Christian” predispose you to feel superior?

2. Do you spend more effort teaching others or yourself? Are these mutually exclusive?

3. How different are you from the blind, darkness, foolish, & children mentioned in the text?

In layman’s terms, Paul is peeved (what else is new?). Seriously, switch the word “Jew” with “Christian”, then re-read the text in a sarcastic tone aimed directly at you; this should help you experience the Jewish audience’s likely reaction. We miss the fullness of his message if we only apply it to some other group of old religious people 2000 years ago. You, I, and many other Christians become this boastful group every single day!

First, let’s remember how the Jewish people of the time perceived themselves. They were supposed to be a Holy Nation and Kingdom of Priests, for the sole purpose of bringing salvation to all nations. Yet, somewhere along the line, this got perverted to mean they were inherently superior because of ethnicity and/or ceremonial purity. Verses 19-20 is literally Paul listing out ways in which this community felt above the rest of the world. Though they were called to guide the blind and bring light to darkness, they could never accomplish these things by their own understanding of “knowledge and truth”. Their self-worship caused them to proselytize others without regard for their own failures & need for a savior. This hypocrisy was further expressed by Paul’s declaration of sinful behavior within the community.

Doesn’t this all sound familiar? Is this not the top grievance of the non-Christian world about Christians? The irreligious world may not adore us, but we Western Christians get our egos stroked on the regular. Our country’s holidays align with our faith, most religious statements are based on our text, the most dominant continent in human history proclaimed Christianity throughout its conquests, and we frequently paint other religious communities as “dysfunctional” and in need of our supreme guidance. Our society gives us every reason to feel superior as Christians. Therefore, we must be cognizant of this worldly influence when we engage in discipleship & evangelism. We are imperfect, blemished, & sinful, just as much as every other human. The truth of this weakness is the foundation of Christ’s gift of righteousness. All discipleship must begin with the humbling admission that you (alone) are personally responsible for nothing; this is should never feel easy! Perfectly walking the line of boasting in God but not yourself is exquisitely difficult, so difficult in fact that God deemed it necessary to come down and do it for us. Consequentially, entertaining the lie of self-justification, as easy as it is, dishonors the necessity of His sacrifice.