Read Romans 2:17-3:20
This passage of Romans begins a bit strangely. We must remember that Paul has a problem different from what we face, although similar in some respect. This is the cultural distinction (from the Jewish point of view) where humanity is neatly divided into those who are Jewish and those who are not (called Gentile).
The Jews thought they were God’s chosen people. They missed the part where Abraham was told he would be a light to the world. They thought they were “it”.
By the way, this is not a unique thought throughout history. Even today we have cultural groups who think they are the only “chosen” people. But that may be a future lesson.
Back to the Jews. Jesus was definitely a Jew. As far as we can tell, all of his original followers were Jewish. Jesus dealt fairly with people in Galilee and Judah who were not Jewish. I have never seen a document that disputes that the movement began as a Jewish movement.
Immediately following his death and resurrection, the movement rapidly spread throughout the region irrespective of cultural origin. Indeed, only a few years after, Paul, himself, was appointed Apostle to the Gentiles charged with spreading the word throughout the Greek and Roman world.
But he was a Jew. Proclaimed himself a Pharisee of Pharisees. So, his heart was broken by the rejection of Jesus by the Jews. So, he yells at them.
He says, “For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the gentiles because of you.’”
They think they have it made because they have the Law. A key part of the law was that every Jewish boy is circumcised ritually as a mark of salvation. Paul would call this salvation through works.
Returning to the topic that we must become aware of our sins, he negates circumcision, “No, not at all, for we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under the power of sin, as it is written: ‘There is no one who is righteous, not even one…’”
He continues quoting from their Scriptures:
“There is no one who is righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who has understanding;
there is no one who seeks God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
there is no one who shows kindness;
there is not even one.”
13 “Their throats are opened graves;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of vipers is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 ruin and misery are in their paths,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Paul is leading up to recognizing two important concepts of spiritual reality—faith and grace. He concludes, “For no human will be justified before him by deeds prescribed by the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin.”
We do not enter into a right relationship with God because we have followed a law…or even a bunch of laws.
Before we can proceed, we must become infused with this knowledge not only in our brains but in our guts. Our total awareness needs to see this.
Once during a meditation session, I was passing by an old, decrepit house. I was drawn to the porch and then the door. I opened the door. A guide met me. He/she led me in. We looked around. There was another door. This one to the basement. I opened that door. Went down the stairs. And there I was introduced to every imaginable sin. My guide led me to realize that within me lay the capabilities to commit any sin.
I came out of the session with a deeper understanding of just how I am. It was some months before the next step in meditation. I’ll leave that to another session.
Gary Mintchell
Faith Venture 