Jews and the law.
“You who boast in the law dishonor God by transgressing the law?” Romans 2:23, NET. While those who were not Jews had an implicit knowledge about God in what was created, the Jews had a direct revelation. Because they received the oracles of God, Jews bragged about their self-perceived advantage. The Jews had the temple; they had the law of Moses. Therefore, they maintained that they were better than anyone else. However, following the letter of the law is of no value if one ignores the spirit of the law. Sin and evil deeds are committed in the thoughts. The visible deeds demonstrate what has been committed in spirit or thoughts.
Paul reminds the Jews that they blasphemed God’s name among the Gentiles by bragging about what they have and who they are. The Jews practiced obedience in the flesh, but their attitude and thoughts were evil. The Jews portrayed God as unfair by claiming he favors them because they are chosen. The Jewish Christians insisted that the Gentile Christians must practice the requirements of the Mosaic law. They maintained that one must become Jew to be saved. Paul reminded them, “For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something that is outward in the flesh, but someone is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart in the spirit and not in the written code. This person’s praise is not from people, but from God.” Romans 2:28, 29, NET.
Doing the best deeds possible in the flesh does not lead to justification and salvation. The obedience to the law of Moses could not justify anyone because the law was neither designed nor given for such a purpose. (Galatians 3:20) Good deeds and ethical behavior are the natural consequence of justification by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. Concerning our salvation, the best of the best is not good enough; it could never be. God does not want us to do good works; He wants us to do righteous works. “Jesus replied, ‘This is the deed God requires – to believe in the one whom he has sent.'” John 6:29, NET. The righteous works are the only works God requires of us.
Why the law? Read the next blog.
