Religion vs. Relationship
10/05/2008 Filed in: General
Religion vs. Relationship
(Romans 2:17-29)
[17] (NIV) Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; [18] if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; [19] if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, [20] an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth -- [21] you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? [22] You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? [23] You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? [24] As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." [25] Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. [26] If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? [27] 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. [28] A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. [29] No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
MARKS OF AN EMPTY RELIGION:
· Pride - Look at me! (Romans 12:16; Galatians 6:4; James 4:6)
· Hypocrisy - I know, but I don't have to obey! (Matt. 23:23, 23:25, 23:27; Mark 7:6)
· Trust in outward evidence. (Matt. 7:22; Luke 18:9-14)
- I've been baptized!
- I've been listed!
- I've been raised!
- I've been busy!
MARKS OF A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
· An inner transformation of the heart (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26)
· The purifying presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11)
· A burning desire to please God (Gal. 1:10; 1 John 2:3, 3:22, 3:24, 5:3; John 14:15, 23-24, 15:10)
(Romans 2:17-29)
[17] (NIV) Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; [18] if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; [19] if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, [20] an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth -- [21] you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? [22] You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? [23] You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? [24] As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." [25] Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. [26] If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? [27] 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. [28] A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. [29] No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
MARKS OF AN EMPTY RELIGION:
· Pride - Look at me! (Romans 12:16; Galatians 6:4; James 4:6)
· Hypocrisy - I know, but I don't have to obey! (Matt. 23:23, 23:25, 23:27; Mark 7:6)
· Trust in outward evidence. (Matt. 7:22; Luke 18:9-14)
- I've been baptized!
- I've been listed!
- I've been raised!
- I've been busy!
MARKS OF A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
· An inner transformation of the heart (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26)
· The purifying presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11)
· A burning desire to please God (Gal. 1:10; 1 John 2:3, 3:22, 3:24, 5:3; John 14:15, 23-24, 15:10)