Intro: The Jews were extremely religious people. Most would have been far more religious than we are. They had all kinds of rituals to follow and then followed most of them. They made sacrifices; they performed cleansings and washings; they were circumcised; they wore special clothes; they went to meetings; they went on yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem; they memorized large sections of the Old Testament; they held debates on doctrine; they tried to make proselytes of the Greeks (Matthew 23:15). If there was ever a religious group, the Jews were it. But their religion, even though much of it was given to them by God, couldn’t save them. In this passage Paul shows us that trusting religious efforts cannot save us. He breaks down the “bridge” of religion after breaking down the bridges of good deeds, good morals, and education in the preceding passages.

We probably don’t view ourselves as the irreligious pagan clearly rejecting God at the end of chapter one. So this passage will probably strike closer to home. I’d say it is okay to generalize and not view this text as only a condemnation of religious Jews, but of any person who is trusting in religion and religious acts rather than God. We should examine ourselves to evaluate whether our lives are just like the Jews Paul was condemning here.

1. The Jews were very prideful about their religious heritage, their knowledge, the Law, and their ability to teach and enlighten those who were in the dark. They were spiritually prideful. Consider the following areas of pride: They looked down on others who weren’t as religious as they were. They viewed themselves as better than everyone else. Unfortunately, many “Christians” today are guilty of the same thing. We think we know the Bible, we know God’s will, we can guide others, we can teach others. However, sometimes, like the Jews Paul is addressing, we get to focused on “straightening out” others instead of teaching ourselves. We look at others under a microscope, but look at ourselves through a telescope. May God’s grace keep us from pride, especially spiritual pride. Why? WE didn’t earn and can’t do anything to earn God’s favor.

Salvation and spiritual growth is only possible because of GRACE and is all a gift from God. This type of religious pride has no place in the genuine Christian life. May we never forget the GRACE of God that allows us to walk humbly with our Holy God.

2. The Jews were very religious, but still unsaved. Many people today, even professing Christians, are very religious, but still unsaved because they rely on themselves and their religion. Could their religion save them? NO! Why not? It can’t save them because they can’t follow all these rules perfectly. In fact, the law only proved that they were lawbreakers and they couldn’t live up to the holy standard. Moreover, they relied on themselves instead of on God. They had a lot of knowledge. They did a lot. However, they could never do all they knew they should do to fulfill the law. The core of man-made religion is to do something to compensate for your sins. Moreover, every religion has a set rules adherents are expected to follow. Religious expectations might include: good morals, special pilgrimages, prayer at certain times, denying yourself certain pleasures, etc., However, as Paul, inspired by God explains, it is impossible to keep all the law and never break the rules. Therefore, we can never save ourselves no matter what dramatic and religious ways we try.

Furthermore, the problem of expecting to be saved because one identifies as a Christian or attends a church is widespread. When one is asked, “are you a Christian?” A common response is “I live in America” or “my parents were and so must I be.” This misconception also exists in China, especially among those who come from Christian families. Jesus addressed the end result of a professing Christian (cf. Matt 7:21ff). The truth from Scripture is clear: no matter how good your church attendance, how much you have given, how many times you have been baptized, how much you pray, or how spiritual sounding your prayer, doing these things cannot earn salvation for anyone. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH alone.

3. The Jews were hypocrites just the same as the Gentiles without the Law in the first part of the chapter. They knew and taught the Law, but didn’t keep it. Matthew 23:13-23, Matthew 23:3. They missed the mark by the same standard as the Gentiles. No person can be saved through his own efforts. Like we discussed last week, only by the grace of God: we are called to evaluate ourselves constantly, avoid hypocritical judgment and the tendency to correct others in non-essentials. Moreover, as Spirit filled disciples we rely on God to reveal our own sin and by His power allow us to be quick to repent of sin, both in thought and deed.

4. In the first part of the chapter, it doesn’t mention the specific things the Gentiles passed judgment about. However, here it mentions the specific things the Jews passed judgment on and taught, hence, specific Laws. The outwardly religious Jews told others to follow the Law, yet they didn’t keep the very Law and ordinances of God they judged others for not obeying. Paul exposes their hypocrisy.

5. Instead of being a light to the nations, they brought dishonor to the name of God with their evil, prideful, and hypocritical conduct. Isaiah 42:6. 49:6, 60:3. The Jews were specially chosen and blessed by God. Part of the purpose of this was to be a light to the nations. Their example of obedience, devotion, and divine blessing was to attract the attention of the whole world so that others would want this same relationship with God. However, the Jews as a nation failed this divine task (Jesus fulfilled it). Their continuing sin and disobedience and subsequent judgment did not make others interested God at all. Instead, their haughty and hypocritical behavior brought dishonor to the name of God. Their actions caused the Gentiles to curse God rather than believe in Him. Isaiah 52:5. Why would their behavior cause people to blaspheme and curse God?

Do you think the “church” has sometimes had this same effect through history? When? How about now? For example, the guy who killed a abortion doctor. The militia group in Ohio. It is highly questionable that murderers and criminals acting in “the Name of Jesus” were actually transformed disciples of Christ. Examples of extreme behaviors today or even not so extreme religious behavior does compare to the hypocritical behavior of the Jews in the 1st century. The message to many unbelievers and a watching world is Christians are all the same, hence hypocrites. It is “professing Christians” like these who give God a bad name, not only in America, but everywhere around the globe. Genuinely transformed believers bring glory to God’s name through our actions! However, we must be constantly on guard against our sinful nature to avoid reflecting a bad testimony and influence people to reject God.

Moreover, if we are prideful or rude or hypocritical it will have this effect. In my opinion, hypocrisy is probably the number one given reason why unbelievers are not willing to go to church in the US and a lot of times it is a valid complaint. Help us Lord.

6. Circumcision was a symbol separating them from other nations and acting as a mark to show their covenant relationship with and obedience to God.

7. Circumcision had become an empty religious ritual of pride for most of the Jews. Luke 3:8. They trusted in this symbol to save them rather than what it was supposed to represent.

8. Salvation has only come by God’s grace through faith. Our living and supernatural faith is demonstrated through obedience. Circumcision did not equal salvation. Obedience to the Law is what is important to God. However, since a person cannot obey every single commandment all the time, one can’t earn salvation through obedience either. Just as circumcision couldn’t bring salvation, neither does baptism, going to church, fasting, praying, reading the Bible, sharing the gospel, singing Christian songs, attending fellowship or any other Christian act capable of saving a person from the penalty of sin today.

9. Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart. True circumcision is of the heart, a heart that is set apart to God and devoted to God. Moreover, the same is true about baptism. Baptism doesn’t save anyone. For the genuine disciple, it is an expression of an already transformed heart. Through baptism we proclaim to those present: our old self has died to sin and we are living a new transformed life.

Key Words-
Jew- The Jews thought that since they were children of Abraham they were above everybody else. They placed confidence in their ancestors and their high position instead of in faith in God.
Law- God gave His law to the Jews. It was intended to show the failure of human’s to follow God’s requirements.

Circumcision- Can be compared to works. The Jews thought that their outward works could save them. Paul is telling them it is the inside, not the outside, which is important to God.

Key Verses-

20. The Jews had the knowledge in the Law, but like the man in James they walked away and forgot what they looked like. I am often like that as well. I read my Bible and make applications, but sometimes forget them and never carry them out.

25. Good deeds are useless for salvation unless we can be perfect. But we can never reach this standard so all of our attempts to please God fall short and are as nothing.

29. The real way to salvation and a life set apart for Christ is by dedicating our hearts to Christ. We must let Him change us from the inside out. Scripture is clear, it is not the good deeds that save us. It is faith in Christ’s finished work on the cross, which will bring us into God’s family and shape us into His people.

Written and Presented by Bob Duck. A dear brother in Christ and an Elder at Mt. View Bible Church.

Edited by Randall Torres, President at Compassionate MinistriesPPS.

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