Romans: Bible Study 5

Lesson 5: The Dangers of Religion
The establishment of the Roman Empire was a phenomenal achievement; their industriousness, roads, aqueducts, laws, stability.
The Romans conquered the Greeks but the brilliant Greeks captured their conquerors. The Greek language, culture, and thought permeated Roman life. Together, Rome and Greece dominated the world of Paul's day...with one exception-the Jews.
Industrious, proud, and different, they had stubbornly refused to be assimilated into the cultural patterns dictated by the "superpowers" (dress, diet, demeanor). They were unmoved by the accomplishments of Greece and Rome. They were convinced that they were the chosen people and all others, however prominent, were heathen.
Paul's denunciation of Gentile society was no surprise. But his attitude to his own people - the Jews - was a major surprise. Read Romans 2:17-24
What is the difference between Paul's criticism of the Jews and his criticism of the Gentiles? ________
People are condemned not for what they don't know, but for what they do with what they know. Those who have never seen a Bible still know right form wrong, and they will be judged because they did not keep even those standards, which they did know.
We can find evidence of God's moral law in every culture. All cultures prohibit murder, and yet in all societies that law has been broken. We belong to a stubborn race. We know what's right, but we insist on doing what's wrong. The first step to forgiveness and healing...Admit to yourself and to God that you fit the human pattern and frequently fail to live up...not only to God's standards but up...to my own standards.
Profession Without Performance
Paul considered the Jews to be the people of God, chosen to be the special agents of His earthly activity. The Jews were not slow to boast of their status. To be a Jew was a matter of pride and privilege.
Paul pinpointed four particular problem areas.
1. Honoring God
2. Abhorring idols
3. Stealing
4. Adultery
Everyone seemed to know of cases where the Jewish orthodoxy lept loopholes in their business deals to allow for a little refined stealing. Some better-known rabbis were charged with sexual immorality. Paul also seemed to know of cases where Jews, while loudly denouncing pagan temples, in fact received financial benefits from the same temples (stolen goods). Paul insisted that this kind of behavior led to the hatred of Jews but also to the hatred of God and His law.
Three Dangers that Confront Religious People
1. Danger of failing to live according to knowledge and profession
2. Danger of being responsible for unbelievers being misled and confused by inconsistent behavior
3. Danger of God's name being despised because of this confusion
Ritual Without Reality (Read Romans 2:25-29)
Circumcision
"This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your seed; Every man child among you will be circumcised." (Genesis 17:10)
From God's standpoint, the essence: I will be their God.
From the people's perspective: Circumcision is a sign and a seal of my acceptance of God's mastery over my life.
To many in Paul's day, the sign had lost its significance. The rite was completely devoid of reality.
Ask yourself the following questions:
Do I judge myself or others? Be careful not to cover up your own failures by criticizing others.
Am I grateful for God's goodness? It is the goodness of God, not the badness of man, that brings us to repentance.
Is my faith proved by works? Works prove salvation. Do I obey God's truth and persist in holy living? Do I have a hard heart or a tender heart?
Am I hiding behind religion? The law could not save the Jews. External rituals do not guarantee internal changes. God searches the heart.
Do I practice what I profess? Do I tell others what is right but then do what is wrong? Do I expect more of others that I do myself?