A Matter of the Heart

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 2:12-29

 

Matthew 6:19-21

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[a] destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

(ESV)

 

 

We all have things in our lives that we treasure. For some, it may be the acquisition of wealth, good health, our spouse, children, career, or education. However, when we make the treasure of our hearts something on earth, created by God, it can and will disappoint us. If we have learned anything over the previous two years, it should be that change can come quickly, unexpectedly and from sources we are unaware of. The outbreak of Covid and its variants have impacted much of our lives and even destroyed much of what people treasure. During times like these, one must make a relationship with God their Greatest treasure.

 

Romans 2:12-29 is a teaching by the Apostle Paul regarding God’s judgment and the law. Since all have sinned, one either sins without the law, Gentiles, or while under the law, Jews (Romans 2:12). The teaching continues by reminding us that simply hearing the law does not make one righteous for we must also do what the law instructs us to do (Romans 2:13). For Gentiles not having the law but who live in accordance with the law, are viewed by God as a law to themselves (Romans 2:14). What this means is that the law is not something they know through teaching but a way of life they have in their hearts (Romans 2:15-16).

 

Those calling themselves Jews rely on the law and boast in God, knowing His will and approving what is excellent because they have been instructed by the law (Romans 2:17-18). This embodiment of knowledge causes the Jews to view themselves as guides to the blind, a light to those in darkness, instructors of the foolish, and teachers of children (Romans 2:19-20). However, since the Jews are also sinners they must teach themselves as well as others for they also break the law they teach (Romans 2:21-22). Paul reminds the Jews that their hypocrisy of boasting in the law while breaking the law dishonors God and causes the blaspheming of the name of God among the Gentiles. Like Jesus, Paul is reminding the Jews of their hypocrisy, something he was familiar with as a pharisee who once persecuted Christians.

 

Paul then goes into a discussion of circumcision which for the Jews was an outward sign of one’s dedication of their life to following God. As an outward sign, circumcision has value when one lives in obedience to the law for it demonstrates a lack of hypocrisy in one’s life, but if one circumcised disobeys the law, the circumcision becomes uncircumcision due to their hypocrisy (Romans 2:25). A Gentile living without the law, has his uncircumcision regarded as circumcision when he or she lives in obedience to the law (Romans 2:26). This is why those uncircumcised who live in obedience to the law will condemn the Jews who have the law and circumcision yet choose to continue sinning (Romans 2:27). The teaching concludes with the Apostle Paul stating that being a Jew is not based upon boasting about the law and their circumcision but a matter of the heart (Romans 2:28-29).   

 

In considering the role of the law of God in one’s life there are two extremes. Some believe the grace of God covers all sin and that there is no longer a need to consider adherence to the law in one’s life (Romans 6:1). The other extreme is strict adherence to the law, ignoring salvation through the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). The parable of the prodigal son illustrates these two extremes with the father in the parable demonstrating how God deals with judgment and the law.

 

The older son in the parable of the prodigal son believed his moralism and adherence to the commands of his father made him morally superior to his younger brother (Luke 15:29-30). While the older brother’s adherence to the commands of his father is noteworthy, the older brother is carrying bitterness and jealousy in his heart, exposing his sinful nature. Like his younger brother (Luke 15:17), the older brother must realize the sinfulness of his heart and repent.

 

In a world dominated by divisive hatred, it is crucial for God’s people to be peacemakers wearing the shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace wherever they go (Ephesians 6:15; Matthew 15:9). The world already sees enough divisive hatred and does not need to see the Church contributing to more divisiveness. The Church must take a moral stand on issues but must also point the lost to Christ so they can receive salvation and the forgiveness of sins. If you are reading this and have not asked the Lord to forgive you of your sins, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

The challenge in 2022 for those believing in Jesus Christ as Savior is not the flaunting of moral superiority but being peacemakers by sharing the Gospel of peace in a lost world. May God bless and challenge everyone reading this post.