Romans_2
Scripture
Romans 2:13
“for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.”
Observation-What does it say?
Paul continues in this chapter by addressing the idea of holiness. People are not endowed with holiness by their heritage, and it is not an assumed thing because of being a member of the church. In the previous chapter, he points out that God’s holiness and power are clearly seen in nature (1:20). Since this is true, we have reason to ensure that our attitude towards His holiness is that of thanksgiving and gratitude.
Understanding-What does it mean?
There is no better display of holiness, and of our thankfulness for God’s patience with us, than obedience in our actions.
There is nothing worse in life than a know it all, someone who says, “You know what you oughta do…” In high school I ran cross-country and long distance in track. In the course of my running career, I ran into a lot of people who would give me “advice” on how I should run a race or train. Some of them were close friends or family members. In my earlier years, I would heed their “advice” only to be let down by the result.
As I matured in my quest to be the best distance runner I could be, I learned that I had to seek the advice of people who had been there before me and done what I was seeking to do. As I learned to race and train from those who had been there before me, my success showed that I was following good advice.
Now as a parent, I find myself on the other side of the equation. I am now tasked with being the one who has been there before training those who have not. So my actions have to line up with what I want my kids to see. What use is it to talk about what to do, or how to live by faith, if I am not acting it out (James 2:14-17).
Life Application
I need to be leading my family by example with humility.
When I am tempted to make short-cuts in life, help me to remember that I am showing Christ in my actions, whether my audience be my children or the guy in line behind me at the store. Help me to lean on your strength Jesus, because you have been there before me, and you already know the way. Help me obey with a joyful heart.
- Tyler Galloway
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