|
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
The main intent of this section of Romans is to show that all men, both Jew and Gentile, have violated God's law and thus need a Savior. However, these three verses bring up two things which I think are very applicable to believers today. First, in verse 13 Paul differentiates between "hearers" and "doers" of the Law. James in his epistle writes to Jewish believers, but includes the same warning;
"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves" (James 1:22).
It is my opinion that there are many believers today who regularly attend church, and perhaps have even grown up under Bible teaching and thus know the Scriptures, who do not live out the Scriptures. Their lifestyles are very similar to those of the world: they have similar interests, similar language, similar goals, and often similar behavior. They can quote the Bible, but they choose not to obey It. Yet they think that they are right with God because they go to church and have a knowledge of Biblical concepts. James writes that these folks are deceiving themselves. James also includes this:
"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25).
The blessings of God come not simply from knowing, but from doing what we know.
In Romans 1:15 Paul mentions the second item that I believe occurs far too often among Christians. When a person knows that he has sinned, and his conscience starts to convict him, rather than repent he often begins to justify his behavior. Paul uses these terms, "accusing" and "excusing". How often we make excuses for our actions! We blame our parents, our church, our job, our situation, and even God Himself for our sin as if that somehow absolves us from the choices that we make. The other avenue that people take to distance themselves from their own problems is to accuse others. It sounds something like this: "I may have done ______, but you should have seen what so and so did. It was a lot worse than what I did!" Again, the faults of others can not Biblically or logically justify my iniquity. What I need to do is admit my fault and make it right with the Lord.
Are you a hearer, but not a doer? Do you make excuses and accusations in order to salve your conscience and attempt to impute your transgressions onto others? Instead, of doing what the ungodly do, try confessing your sin to God and making the proper changes in your life.
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
|
|