The name of God is Blasphemed

Romans 2:17-24

“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.”

I am very aware of what is written in Revelation 22:18-19, and only a very ignorant or foolish person would knowingly misuse Scripture.  “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”  In that you are not Jewish, add whatever brand you go by such as, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, and replacing Jew is an affront to our LORD for the purpose of this paper.

Now it is important to once more state that the book of Romans is addressed to followers of Jesus Christ, those who were called “The Way” and later named by those who hated them as “Christians”.  So you’re a Baptist, big deal, and that goes for all the other brands, are you a “follower of Christ” do you study to show yourself approved as a workman that needs not to be ashamed?  Are you a doer of the Word or just a reader, and do you teach others and yet not practice what you teach? 

In September of 2015, Rusty Rice preached on Self-Righteousness and how many outside of the “Church” see Christians in that light.  How can you and I keep from being Self-righteous?  It is easy to see in others but often not so simple in my own life.  Some points that may help from the sermon; Self-righteous does not let us see the hurts of this world.  Self-righteous people always want the world to look like them.  And this is a quote from Tim Keller; “The essence of gospel-humility is not thinking more of myself or thinking less of myself, it is thinking of myself less.”  Rusty also had this quote in his notes: “Spiritual pride is the illusion that we are competent to run our own lives, achieve our own sense of self-worth and find a purpose big enough to give us meaning in life without God.” (Soren Kierkegaard)

I met the real deal a few months ago at the new Wal-Mart on Hwy 46, a beautiful young lady with three very young children.  Jan and I were looking the place over when she came by with three kids and Jan and I were telling her she had beautiful children, and Jan made the statement, you can tell we are grandparents.  The young lady said may I ask you a question?   We both said yes, and this was the question, “do you know if you are going to heaven when you die?”  Now I’ve never been asked that question in a Wal-Mart, but it made us smile as we replied a resounding yes, because we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

One last quote: “The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.” (Charles Spurgeon)

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice