who is faithful

Good morning friends,
Happy St. Patrick's Day. Our reading today continues Paul's critique of members of the Jewish community who fail to follow God's law. His point is that we are not right with God because of our religion, but because of our faithfulness. In his time, Jews looked down on gentiles and were proud of their relationship with God. Paul warns them not to count on their traditions if they weren't doing the right things. Those of us who are active in the church now always need to remember this warning too. Being part of the church or synagogue isn't what God cares about, though he does love the church and his people Israel. Instead, God wants us to love him and love others. When people outside the church do the right things, God is pleased. When God's special people do the wrong things; God is disappointed. We're not there yet, but the good news is that God forgives us and calls us again to live a life worthy of our calling.

blessings on your discipleship today,
Sam

Romans 2:17-29

17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God 18and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, 19and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 21you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”


25Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. 29Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.