17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
I agree with everything you said today. We can know the law, understand the law but we must be do-er's of the law. And we must not be do-ers without having our hearts set on love while we are doing it. I think in the simplest of terms we need to concentrate on reading the word and praying and fixing our hearts on loving others. That we need to conscious of our where are intentions are when we are "helping" others. Are we doing it for ourselves or are we doing it out of love for others? I think you are right God does not like hypocrite and we know full well that when hypocrites are out in the world it is a bad testimony for Christ. God must hate that, when his words are twisted and misused. When I read some online commentaries it said that Paul was saying this in response to what was going on around him. There were some people who were preaching for money, taking advantage of people who were eager to hear the word, boasting about their faith and status. Reading that online made me think of all the money hungry preachers of the past, the crystal cathedral and TV preachers. Sad that some can spoil it for the rest of us, yet those are the kind of preachers they always have in the media. Rarely do we see a simple, humble, local pastor on national TV speaking the truth. We only see the big mega pastor on his book tour with his barbie wife wearing mega diamonds talking about being a better you, or how he feels about other peoples sin or politics. Sad that so many Americans get a taste of Christianity from what they see on TV. At church we are doing a study on the beatitudes and last week it was God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Can you imagine if what the world saw from us was mercy? If we handed our mercy to those who need it, for those who don't deserve it. I thought about that all week, if we shared that love we would truly be the salt that people need. People would be naturally drawn to us, they would seek us out.
Dear God, Thank you for this time to spend with you today. Thank you for Angela and her willingness to take time each day to spend with me. Thank you for your word. Help us to live this out each day, to be the salt that people crave for. Show us how to love to others authentically. Amen
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