Hypocrisy: The Heart of the Matter

Hypocrisy: The Heart of the Matter

The Gospel According to Romans

Romans 2:17-29

If we don’t act on what we know, we’re no better than .

Matthew 7:22, 23

1. (vv. 17-24)

Five different aspects of their privilege:

• • They called themselves Jews – they were so proud of their heritage, that’s how they identified themselves.
  • They relied on their possession of the Law for giving them their special standing before God.
  • They boasted in being the true people of God / God’s favorites.
  • They believed they had special insight into God’s will through the Law and the Ten Commandments.
  • Because they had the Law, they believed they were morally superior to the “ignorant Gentiles.”

We can have all the Bible knowledge in the world and still have toward God. 

Luke 18:9-13

1 Peter 5:5, 6

• • “You . . . who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” (2:21)
  • “You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?” (2:21)
  • “You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?” (2:22)
  • “You who detest idols, do you rob temples?” (2:22)
  • “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” (2:23)

Knowledge alone, even great spiritual knowledge, does NOT ! 

2 Samuel 12:14

2. A false security of (vv. 25-27)

Outward acts alone do not . 

We all have our own substitutes for the word “circumcision”:

• • Church membership
  • Baptism
  • Confirmation
  • Our denomination / church affiliation

3. A right heart (vv. 28, 29)

People can sit in church and look like the real thing, but their hearts can be set on . 

Some questions of self-examination:

• • As you are called “Christian,” does Jesus receive the glory, or do you?
  • Do you rely on the grace of God in living out His Word?

Romans 5:1

Romans 8:9

• • Do you boast in the Cross, or do you boast in what you have done? (Galatians 6:14)
  • What part are you taking to help fulfill God’s plan to reach the world with the Good News?
  • Finally, do you practice the truth you preach so that the world might be won by your life and your words?

The truth is that religious people, if they rely on their religion, will !! 

Deuteronomy 30:6

“Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts.”                                                     Jeremiah 4:4

“For in Christ all the fulness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ.”                                                                                                                                         Colossians 2:9-11 

The death of Christ has made circumcision unnecessary.  Our commitment to God is now , not our body.

Hebrews 4:12

Daily Meditations

Memory verse: “No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”       Romans 2:29

Monday

Read Romans 2. According to verses 17 and 18, what special relationship did the Jews have with God?

How did Jews describe themselves in relation to Gentiles in verses 19 and 20?

How can a person be very religious and yet be lacking a real relationship with God?

Tuesday

Read Romans 2:17-29.  Of what did Paul accuse the Jews in verses 21-24?

Why would the Gentiles blaspheme God’s name because of the Jews? See verses 21-24.

Wednesday

Read Romans 2:17-29.  According to verses 25 and 26 what was the purpose of circumcision?

What is more important to God than being physically circumcised?  See verses 26 and 27. 

How do our actions show others what we genuinely believe?

Thursday

Read Romans 2:17-29.  How did Paul redefine what it means to be a Jew in verses 28 and 29?

According to verse 29, what is more important than physical circumcision?

How does hypocrisy in a religious person affect people who observe that person?

Friday

Read Romans 2:17-29.  What is more important than knowing God’s written law? See verse 29.

How could a person be outwardly a Christian and inwardly something else?

Saturday

Read Romans 2:17-29.  In verse 29, whose approval does a true Jew seek?

What makes a person a true Christian?

How can you begin to change some inconsistent behaviors and attitudes in your Christian life this week?