Issues with the Jewish Law

A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. - Romans 2:28-29


Background Notes written by Pastor Bob Brown
Pastor of Adult Education and Sunday Evening Worship

By all outward signs, Ted Haggard was a Godly man, founder & pastor of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, leader of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), – but underneath lurked something dark…

“In November 2006, escort and masseur Mike Jones alleged that Haggard had paid him to engage in sex with him for three years and had also purchased and used crystal methamphetamine. A few days later Haggard resigned from all of his leadership positions. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard)

“In Romans 2:17-20, we hear the voice of the offended Jew – the religious person whose entitlements won’t allow for God’s righteousness to admit non-religious persons into the privileged community” [BN, 3]. They follow a set of prescribed laws and in obeying them they find a sense of security within their religious structure.

So Paul, through a series of questions, is basically asking, “Do you walk the talk?” “You who teach others, do you teach yourself?...You who brag about the Torah, do you dishonor God by breaking the Torah?” [BN, 3].

This leads us back to the Ted Haggard story – his accuser came forward by saying, “I had to expose the hypocrisy. He is in the position of influence…preaching against gay marriage. But behind everybody’s back [he’s] doing what he’s preached against.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Haggard)

When we follow a set of rules / laws and by them find our identity / righteousness it’s easy to lift ourselves above others by comparing our goodness with their badness. “Religious zeal for righteousness throws the spotlight on the performance of the individual rather than on the person of God” [BN, 3], and God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of it.

“Religion – vis-à-vis Judaism – cannot help sinful human beings who stand condemned under the righteous law of God. Not circumcision. Not external ceremonies. Not written codes. The proof, says Paul, is seen in the failure for religious people to successfully follow the requirements of their own religion.” [BN, 3].

God looks inside and sees all. He looks past the external shell to reveal the true self, the heart. Because only God can see into the heart, only He is able to judge us fairly and completely.

It’s so much more than religion – it’s a Relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ.

Join us this week in Worship at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene -

• Saturday 6:00pm
• Sunday 8:30am & 11:00am, 5:30pm