God’s Determined Faithfulness Romans 2:17 – 3:8 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth – if you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? Jews set themselves above non-Jews; but forgot who they were supposed to be – a light set on a hill!

…continued You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonour God by breaking the law? As it is written, “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who have not been circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? Breaking a law brings judgement; keeping it honours the lawgiver

… continued The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A person is not a Jew who is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. The world has changed – God’s people know His heart, not His law!

… What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness. Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak And prevail when you judge.” The Pharisees were desperate that Israel should be completely faithful – that’s why Christians were a blasphemy against God, a danger to Israel

… But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what then shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing His wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases His glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” Why not say – as some slanderously claim that we say – “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! You can’t say that our sinfulness is good, because it brings an opportunity for God’s grace to shine forth!

The Jews were the People of the Book – and of the Law Jesus called the Pharisees “whited sepulchres” – clean, shiny-white on the outside, yet inside full of death and decay. Appearances can be deceptive – faithfulness is a heart thing “The time is coming when the Law will be written on men’s hearts” It’s about being an in-law, it’s about being in a loving relationship

We are People of the Book – and of the law written on our Hearts Jesus came to fulfil the law, not to overturn it Jesus embodies a perfect relationship with God the Father Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit from His baptism Jesus only did what He saw His Father doing Jesus obeyed His Father, even when in human terms it was incredibly difficult Jesus did perfectly by the Spirit what in our own strength we cannot do We take Jesus as a role-model, by the power of the Spirit – in His relationship to God, not in His every aspect (carpentry, etc etc!)

“Micro-crimes” (YouGov poll) Speeding (just by a few miles an hour … )? Parking on yellow lines? Downloading streaming tv or films illegally? Copying copyright material? Not paying for a supermarket plastic bag at checkout? Passing on an unexpired parking ticket? Fare-dodging? Lying about your child’s age to get a cheaper ticket? Helping yourself to extra salt / pepper / sugar sachets in a café?

Do not worry! Paul is building an argument Demonstrating our problems in being faithful Adjusting our ideas about what it means to be faithful – heart, not head. Calling us up to a new idea of righteousness from God, not law Don’t abandon observing laws, doing right, honouring God DO think it through, listen to the Spirit, take Jesus’ example Don’t condemn others, or yourself DO trust God for His plan for salvation! Be determined, just as God is determined!