Romans: 2:12-24
Romans, Part 3:
“Exhibit A”
2:12-24
Following Paul’s argument thus far:
- No one has an excuse: everyone, no matter who or where we are, has some idea of a greater power, and some idea of what is right and wrong.
- Even though we have known God, we still turn away from him.
- Our sinfulness is a result of our turning from God – he allows us the freedom to choose obedience or disobedience.
- Because we have all turned from God in some way, the quantity or quality of the sin is not for us to compare or judge – only God can give judgment. We can give only grace.
Now Paul turns his argument toward the Law – a difficult topic, especially for us as Christians. This has always been a sticky subject for us – in what ways are we still under the Law? Paul could go off on tangents here about the meaning of the Law for us in the aftermath of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He certainly takes time to look at these ideas elsewhere…
But here, Paul will not be distracted. He is bent on making his argument plain. And it is specifically to Jews and Christians now that he is speaking. Because no matter how we may want to point the finger at the “heathens,” we are the very worst because we KNOW the law, and yet we STILL disobey!
Paul uses imagery of the courtroom, and uses many terms from the courts of his day. And as in any courtroom, the ultimate standard is the LAW. Remember that Christianity came from Judaism, and these Jews had spent their entire lives trying to understand and to live by the Law.
Often, I think we have a negative view of the Law. That’s unfortunate, because the Law – in its time and place – was really a wonderful thing. God made a covenant with Israel – he would be their God, and they would be his people. And he gave the people his Law to show them just how they could be his people.
While it seems difficult from our point of view, the Mosaic Law was actually easier and more humane than many other religions of the day. God didn’t require child sacrifice and other awful practices that characterized the religions in the ancient Near East.
And because of this, the Jewish religion made them DIFFERENT – showed the people around them that they worshiped a God who was different: a God who cared about the children; a God who cared about the poor, the widows and orphans; a God who cared about inward holiness as much as outward holiness. In this way, the world would know by the way they were living that God was real and leading his people.
But even knowing this, the people broke the Law again and again – sometimes subtly, and sometimes blatantly defying the God who had kept his promise all along. God sent reminders, punishment – like a parent trying to teach his child the right way.
Finally, Jerusalem was destroyed and the people were sent into exile in Babylon. It was one of the darkest moments in their history… and because prophets had foretold exactly what would happen, the people knew exactly why they had been punished.
When they returned from Babylon, many leaders arose who were determined never to let that kind of thing happen again. Thus arose groups such as the Pharisees, the Scribes and teachers of the Law. Their job was to live lives according to the Law, and to remind others to do the same. Problem was, they became so obsessed that they forgot that God desired inward holiness more than outward holiness.
It’s not just what you say that defines your relationship to God – it’s who you are on the INSIDE. They were practicing outside-in religion – what happens on the outside defines who you are inside. Paul’s saying, “people are smarter than that. You can’t fool them.” You have to be turned INSIDE-OUT – let your inside change, and let your outside follow suit. Then people will know something is different.
Paul’s saying that we are still obligated to do the Law (in a way) because it shows the world that we live differently.
That’s where this awful indictment comes into play. In verse 24, Paul levels the charge against us all: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Blasphemy was one of the most serious charges one Jew could make against another, and here Paul says that WE are the cause of the blasphemy. Why?
Because we’re not living what we preach.
When we talk about a mighty God, who is powerful to change lives… and then we don’t live changed lives, will others believe that God is real?
When we talk about a loving God, who wants us to care for others and love each person as a child of God… and then hurt others with our actions and words, will others believe that God is real?
When we talk about a God who cares for the poor and oppressed… and then we ignore the needs of the poor and oppressed right on our doorstep, will others believe that God is real?
Even worse, when we act this way, do we not turn people AWAY from a God, whose people don’t care enough for him to even act the way he tells us to? As Mahatma Gandhi was famously reported as saying, when asked why he was not a Christian: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
If we go back to Paul’s illustration of the courtroom, a question is before us. As the common question goes: “If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” What proof is there that we are Christians? What are my actions saying about the God I serve? And if I were someone’s only link to God, their only living witness to Jesus Christ… would they want to love and serve him, too?
