August 18, 2020 Living Water CAC Daily Devotional Guide :- TOPIC : RELIGIOSITY IS NOT SPIRITUALITY
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Tuesday, August 18, 2020
RELIGIOSITY IS NOT SPIRITUALITY
Read: Romans 2:17-29
Romans2:17-29 NIV “Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 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.”
MEMORISE:
You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? (Romans 2:21)
EXPOSITION
The Jews were people who had special relationship with God. They were adopted by God; they had excellent pedigrees and could boast in the fathers. They received the Law of God, and so knew His will. Hence, they saw themselves as guides (v. 19) to the world. They were in covenant with God, and from them, Christ, the Saviour of the whole world came! What a privilege! (cf. Rom. 2:17-18, 9:4-5) However, they were hypocrisy; merely religious but not spiritual! This act of hypocrisy made the Gentiles to blaspheme God’s name because of them. Consequently, Paul redefined what it actually means to be a Jew: For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Romans 2:28,29 NKJV).
So, a person may be very religious but lacking real relationship with God. Two persons may appear before Christ for His view on their daily walks; one takes pride in thoroughly keeping the traditions of his denomination and of elders, while the other genuinely demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). What would Christ’s verdict be? We know that a person may be outwardly a Christian and inwardly something else! Therefore, reflect on the following two questions today:
1. What makes a person a true Christian?
2. How much does peer pressure from friends and co-workers influence our beliefs and behaviours as Christians?
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, help me to change every inconsistent behaviour and attitude in my Christian life.
2. Lord, help me to be more concerned about pleasing You than pleasing other people.
3. Pray that through you, the name of the Lord will not be blasphemed.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 44 – 47; Revelation 11