An Advantage Spoiled

Sometimes people seem to have advantages in life, but those advantages don’t turn out to bring victory.  That’s my perspective on Paul’s words in Romans 2:17-24.  Here they are:  “¹⁷ Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, ¹⁸ and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, ¹⁹ and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, ²⁰ an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. ²¹ You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? ²² You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? ²³ You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? ²⁴ For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.”  Paul’s primary audience here are the Jews.  They had the advantage of being God’s chosen people and having been given His law to guide and direct them.  But they didn’t use that advantage for their benefit nor did they use it to help others.  From God’s initial covenant with Abraham the purpose was for the Jewish people to be a blessing to the nations by being an example of what a people who know God should “look like”.  But they spoiled their advantage.  Paul even says that they have given the Gentiles a reason to blaspheme God.  The behavior of the Jews was not helpful in leading people to God, especially in leading them to Jesus.

I think this is more than a history lesson.  Those of us who know Christ as Savior and Lord have an advantage.   We have the opportunity to live in such a way that we can help those around us desire Jesus Christ.  This is a great privilege and honor.  Do we do it?  Do we say one thing and do another?  Let’s not spoil the advantage we have in Christ.  Seek Him and follow Him and be intentional about asking Him to make a difference in you that is evident to others.