Religion Without Reality Romans 2:17-29
Romans Series (Part 6)
Sermon by Don Emmitte, Grace Restoration Ministries
Take Your Bibles Please…
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Romans 2:17-29 ESV).
Have you noticed how we tend to make things very complicated? No matter how often I work with various legal advisors, I am constantly amused by the manner in which they can make things very complicated. Some years ago a friend, who is a very fine Christian attorney rewrote a verse of Scripture for me in what I call “legalese.” This is the language of our judicial system. See if you can recognize which very familiar verse it might be:
We respectfully petition, request, and entreat that due and adequate provision be made, this day hereinafter subscribed, for the satisfying of this petitioner’s nutritional requirements and for the organization of such methods as may be deemed necessary and proper to assure the reception by and for said petitioner of such quantities of baked cereal products as shall, in the judgment of aforesaid petitioners constitute a sufficient supply thereof.”
What’s your guess? Well, it’s taken from the Gospel of Matthew. We know it a little simpler as: “Give us this day our daily bread.” (cf. Matthew 6:11). The Bible is simple. Even though it deals with very complex issues and beliefs, it is written in such a way that every man may come to understand the love of God expressed in the grace and work of Christ. Certainly this is the apostle’s motivation in dealing with the need for religious men to be saved.
Does that sound odd? Does it seem strange to think that religious men need saving? It shouldn’t. Religion by itself can never make a man acceptable before God. To prove this point, Paul uses the most religious people in the world in as a case study. The Jewish man of Paul’s day was sincerely devoted to his religious beliefs and practices. In the Pharisaic sect of Judaism, the outward form of religion came to an apex. They had made it into an art form! Yet, their religion had no reality. In spite of the fact that it was based on a revelation of the one true God, it still had no reality. Though they had a true religious form, they were still in need of the righteousness which only God can bestow on men through Christ.
There have been many polls through the years, some published quite recently, which describe the religious conditions in America. The most shocking of all the statistics for me are those that show the majority of Americans believe in God, and yet, only a few of those would say that their beliefs made any difference in the manner in which they live. Many people seem to be content to trust their own efforts and religious practices to make them acceptable before God. We need to be aware that religious activities are only good when they express an inner reality. Paul’s words to the church at Rome are particularly helpful at this point. He lists three characteristics of religion without reality:
First, Religion without Reality Emphasizes Privileges (v. 17).
Religious men are inclined to put a selfish interpretation on all their privileges. Paul writes:
But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? (v. 17).
The name “Jew” goes back historically to the tribe of “Judah.” Originally a Jew had been a member of a special tribe within Israel. It was the tribe of King David and the promised Messiah. They thought of themselves as the “best of the best.” However, as time passed, the name broadened to apply to any Hebrew. When referring to his language, you would call it Hebrew. However, when referring to his religion or race, you would call it Jewish or Jew. It was a word that identified him as a part of the select people of God. In the day of Paul, the Jewish people were very much aware that they were a special people among the peoples of the world.
Because of this they also believed they had a special privilege. The primary privilege was the law of God. God had exclusively given them the revelation of the law through Moses and the prophets. This was proof enough that they were God’s privileges people. Any time they might be moved to question their standing before God, they could point to the fact that they had the law and the prophets. Based on this privilege, they had openly boasted that the God of Israel was their God. They looked upon God as being another of their national assets. They viewed him as their own personal possession. They saw God as a resource for their personal profit!
They had come to a tragic conclusion in that they reversed their relationship with God. They saw God as a “divine vending machine.” There is a very interesting story that comes out of the early church. Before I tell it, I must emphasize it is not found in Scripture. It is merely a story. It does illustrate how easy it can be for any of us to focus on privilege instead of position. The story begins with Jesus and the disciples walking from Galilee to Judea, a lengthy and strenuous walk. They find themselves walking along a stony road. Jesus asks each of the disciples to pick up a stone to carry. It is said that John picked up a large stone while Peter found little more than a pebble sized stone. Jesus led them toward Jerusalem and along a very steep path through the mountains surrounding the city. At the top of one particularly steep trail since they were nearly the end of the day, Peter took Jesus aside and asked him where they were going to find food for the day. Jesus gathered them all around him and commanded the stones to be turned to bread so they could have something to eat. Of course Peter’s bread was not sufficient to satisfy his hunger. John shared some of his with him as they prepared for the evening’s rest. The next morning Jesus asked each of them to again pick up a stone to carry. This time Peter chose the largest stone of all. Later coming to a river, Jesus told them to cast the stones into the water. They looked at one another in bewilderment as they still had another long day’s journey ahead of them. Peter began to question Jesus and he replied, “For whom did you carry the stone?”
They had a religious experience; however, they did not have reality in their religion. They had a position without any relationship. Their religion like so many who only have religion was empty and without eternal meaning or significance.
Second, Religion Without Reality Depends on Knowledge (vv. 18-24).
We are not declared righteous by God based on our religious knowledge. If this were true then the Jews would have certainly been righteous. They had much knowledge. They were taught the laws of God from the earliest of their childhood. A Jewish family equipped their children with a deep knowledge about God. They knew what God required. They could easily distinguish between good and evil, moral and immoral. However, a tragic thing happened. They became so adept at telling others what they knew and how they should behave they came to believe that was what a believer should be. It became even worse. Because they were so good at instructing others, they excused themselves from the same sins they taught were unacceptable to God. They had the talk, but not the walk. The error of the moralist is that he thinks God will accept him based on his knowledge. He divorces knowledge from relationship. He remains in his bondage to sin. He cannot ever perform well enough with a mere knowledge of behavior.
Christmas and Easter are two of my favorite times of the year for many reasons. One of those is that I can legitimately find an excuse to eat whatever I want! Some of my favorite goodies are those little chocolate bunnies or Santa’s that are so popular at that time of the year. You all know I am a snob something of a connoisseur when it comes to any kind of chocolate, but especially these treats. There is a vast difference between one type and brand over others. I can take a bite from one and immediately tell you the difference from how they are made. It’s not just the taste, but how they are made that makes the real difference. You know, some of them are hollow; some are filled with marshmallow or fudge, while others are solid, creamy milk chocolate. Come on, everyone knows that the solid ones are the best. They are the real ones!
Some church members are a lot like those chocolate bunnies and Santa’s. On the surface they look like real disciples. However, upon close examination, they prove to be hollow, empty on the inside. Others are filled with the things of the world, or worse, a false sense of security because they can point to all their good deeds in comparison to others who are the “real” sinners. Only those who are solid will be able to stand before the judgment of Christ with victory. When Samuel went to Jesse to anoint one of his sons as the new king of Israel, he learned this lesson very well. You remember the story. The prophet was instructed to go and offer sacrifice, inviting Jesse to be apart. He then told him that one of his sons would replace Saul as God’s chosen king. Listen to the story from the Scripture:
When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here.” And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.” (1 Samuel 16:6-12 ESV).
Third, Religion Without Reality Glories in the Outward (vv. 25-29).
Many of us have a tendency to focus on what’s wrong. This distorts life. Barry Siegel wrote an article in the Los Angeles Times many years ago. It was titled, “World May End With a Splash.” It is dated having been written in 1996, but still a great illustration of this truth:
“Consider what some scientists predict. If everyone keeps stacking National Geographic’s in garages and attics instead of throwing them away, the magazine’s weight will sink the continent 100 feet sometime soon and we will all be inundated by the oceans. If the number of microscope specimen slides submitted to one St. Louis lab continues to increase at its current rate, that metropolis will be buried under three feet of glass by the year 2224. If beachgoers keep returning home with as much sand clinging to them as they do now, 80% of the country’s coastline will disappear in 10 years. They have also reported the striking discovery that pickles cause cancer, communism, airline tragedies, auto accidents and crime waves. About 99% of all cancer victims had eaten pickles sometime in their lives. So have 100% of all soldiers, 96.8% of communist sympathizers and 99.7% of those involved in car and air accidents. Moreover, those born in 1839 that ate pickles have suffered a 100% mortality rate. And, rats force fed 20 pounds of pickles a day for a month ended up with bulging abdomens and loss of appetite.”
I know… more humor than truth, but still the point is clear. It’s amazing how we can miss the obvious in favor of the complex. The outward sign of Jew’s religion was circumcision. It was the mark made in his flesh when he was eight days old. He gloried in this. It was his sign that he was truly acceptable before God. He fully expected at the Day of Judgment this would be the only requirement necessary for entrance into God’s kingdom. Paul makes it clear that is simply a lie:
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Romans 2:28-29 ESV).
This is a very serious passage. God is not impressed with any of our outward display of religious signs and symbols. He is not interested in the empty morality of man. God is interested in the heart of a man.
We are confronted with this principle in our practice today. While the outward signs are different our tendency to trust in the outward symbols of faith are the same. We have changed the ritual, but like the Jew of Paul’s day, many people glory in the outward form of religion and do not know the inward reality of a genuine relationship with Christ. These practices may be valid; but, without a relationship with Christ they are meaningless and empty bringing only failure, shame, and guilt. Christ came to bring us victory and freedom. That can only come through our relationship with Him.
G. Campbell Morgan tells a wonderful story of a coal miner who came to him and said, “I would give anything to believe that God will forgive my sins, but I cannot believe that He will forgive them if I just ask Him. It is too cheap.” Morgan said, “My dear friend, have you been working today?” “Yes, I was down in the mine.” “How did you get out of the pit? Did you pay?” “Of course not. I just got into the cage and was pulled to the top.” “Were you not afraid to trust yourself to that cage? Was it not too cheap?” Morgan asked. “Oh no,” said the miner, “it was cheap for me, but it cost the company a lot of money to sink the shaft.” Suddenly the truth struck him. What had cost him nothing – salvation – had not come cheap to God. This miner had never really thought of the great price God paid to send his son so he could rescue fallen humanity.
This passage does not call us to a feeling, but a faith. Only faith will be sufficient to make you acceptable before God. Does your religion have reality?
