Positive attributes

You teach others—why don’t you teach yourself? You preach, ‘Do not steal’—but do you yourself steal? You say, ‘Do not commit adultery’—but do you commit adultery? You detest idols—but do you rob temples? You boast about having God’s law—but do you bring shame on God by breaking his law? The scripture says, ‘Because of you Jews, the Gentiles speak evil of God.’
(verses 21-24)

Read Romans 2:12-24

An old joke goes, ‘She was my best friend, because she was forthright, independent and outspoken. We are no longer friends, because she is forthright, independent and outspoken.’

How easy it is for a positive attribute to become a failing. The Jews lived for their positive attributes: honesty, faithfulness, integrity and the like. Their rules were given to them by the Lord himself, and they tried to obey them to the best of their abilities. However, despite knowing the rules by heart, they broke the essence of what God meant by the rules. God’s rules are there to protect and comfort his people, yet his people used them to bind and hurt others. It is easy to do. Knowing the right thing and doing the right thing are two very different scenarios. Knowledge versus action.

You are not left to act alone. Christ is with you always to help you and guide you every day of your life, so that, because of you, people will speak well of God.

Guide me, Lord, in my daily life, so that my actions praise your name. Amen.

by Kathy Hoopman, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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