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. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Romans 2:21-24 ESV
We learned from last week’s scripture that the Jews had some unique privileges due to being chosen by God as a nation.
1) They possessed God’s law given through Moses, by which they could know God’s word, will, and ways.
2) Their God was the one true, living God who had in countless ways shown His faithfulness, power, and presence to the people of Israel.
3) Because of their knowledge and possession of the truth, they were responsible for guiding the blind, being a light in the darkness, and teaching the foolish and the spiritual neophytes.
However, Paul is reminding them to be the primary benefactor of the truth they possess, applying these privileges and responsibilities to order their own lives before they can assist anyone else. They must practice what they profess. If they do not, they will lose credibility to the watching world around them. More seriously, though, they risk dishonoring God. Breaking His law requires judgment and atonement, for which all the sacrifices and burnt offerings in the world could not make permanently secure for their trespasses.
Today, Christians are similarly called to live holy and righteous lives before men, living a life above reproach for the same reasons that unbelievers may not blaspheme the name of Christ due to our lifestyle and choices. May our practices reflect our profession so that we rightly honor and glorify God in all our ways.