Romans 2:17–24 (NKJV)
17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, 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 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.
Romans 2:17-24
Paul is still speaking to the Jews in Rome, who have not yet embraced the idea of Gentile Christians. They feel somehow more privileged, more successful in religion, more qualified to be the people of God. They exude an attitude that they have the pedigree to be Christians, whereas Gentiles are still lesser in some way by nature of their birth. This is a hypocritical stance, given that they are still sinful in many ways. How can they lead others when they are still blind? How can they teach when they refuse to learn? How can they preach against sins which they still commit? Their hypocrisy causes Gentiles to blaspheme the name of God!
How does the Christian’s light shine today? Is our light bright and clear, or does it have smudges on its glass? Do people see true Christianity through our witness, or does sin get in the way? Don’t wear a Jesus t-shirt and then act like the devil. Be Christian in what you do. Be real, be genuine, but whatever you do, be like Jesus; be Christian. When people see real faith in you, without hypocrisy, without arrogance, with humility, they will see Jesus…and they will believe.
Artwork from https://sermons.faithlife.com/sermons/329547-religious-hypocrisy
Devoted To You 