For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.

 Romans 2:1-29

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Romans 2:13

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on to the next section Judgement and the Jew: Romans 2:1-29. As indicated yesterday, here Paul focuses on hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders who in Paul's words by "passing judgement on another...condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things" (v1).  Paul also focuses on not (much like James does in James 1) just "hearing" the law but "doing" the law.  Paul warns hypocrites and the unrighteous of what awaits (wrath, fury, tribulation, distress v8-9) and encourages the righteous that glory and honor await them (v10, 12). 

My commentary reminds me that of course hypocrisy is not just a problem for the Jews in Paul's day but for everyone, including believers today. We must all acknowledge our sin, repent and seek holy living and obedience to Christ.  The commentary goes on to discuss eleven truths based on Paul's teaching in Romans 2:

1. God's judgement reflects the reality of the situation - there is only God's standard (v2)
2. God's judgement allows for no exceptions (v3)
3. God's judgement means you should not presume on his kindness but turn to him in repentance (v4)
   
4. God's judgement will result in God's just wrath on the unrepentant (v5); see also Matthew 7:23
   
5. God's judgement is based on what we have really been, sought, and done (v6); seeking God's glory vs self glory is contrasted
   
6. God's judgement has eternal consequences (v7-8)
   
7. God's judgement is pronounced individually (v6-10)
   
8. God's judgement is without partiality (v11)
   
9. God's judgement is for everyone regardless of how they have received the law, either on tablets or on the heart (v12-15)
   
10. God's judgement reaches to the secrets of our hearts (v16)
    
11. God's judgement is in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ (v16)
    

My commentary goes on to describe the "shameful effects of hypocrisy", including dishonor of God. Circumcision of the heart vs physically is emphasized - our heart condition is what matters. V27 is highlighted to demonstrate that "obedient Gentiles will in judgement over the disobedient Jews."  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provide Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word so that I can be saved and sanctified - thank You Jesus!  I know there is more and I am grateful for that as well!  Yet I am undeserving of ALL the blessings You pour out for me. I sin and my sin continues, including worry, etc.  Please help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the Lord said to him, Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Luke 11

Then the Lord said to him, Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. v39

Jesus is admonishing the Pharisees for their focus on external cleanliness/behavior (vs spiritual purity), lack of compassion for the poor/those in need, and for the harsh treatment/death of prophets over the course of history (Old Testament).

Jesus wants us to be clean/pure spiritually, to have love/compassion for everyone (love others as yourselves), and to honor those sent by God - of course this includes Jesus Himself!

Much of the focus of this messages dovetails messages from posts over the past few days, including yesterday and Friday regarding how we fill ourselves with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit vs influences of the world.  We need to avoid leaving our house empty for the dark forces of this world to fill the void.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided Your Son, The Holy Spirit, Your Word, The Church, my family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ - all of whom support, encourage and hold me accountable during my journey with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

Matthew 22

 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. v12

I did not fully understand the parable told here (The Parable of the Wedding Banquet) in v1-14.  I understand how many people spurn the gospel message yet the MacArthur commentary helps by pointing out how although the man without the wedding clothes accepted the invitation to the banquet he did not fully submit to the king's wishes by accepting a free offer to adorn wedding clothes - an indictment according to MacArthur on how many people externally behave as a follower of Jesus might but internally lack the heart condition and commitment to truly follow Jesus.  This is similar to recent posts on hypocrisy.

Jesus wants 100% of our life - not part of our lives and not part of the time (i.e. Sunday).  We must acknowledge our need for a savior and Jesus is that Savior and we are to love Him and others, and in the process deny our selves and live for Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who died for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love as I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.

Matthew 15

For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them. v19-20

Once again, the Pharisees question Jesus about breaking with Old Testament law regarding washing of hands before eating.  MacArthur indicates that such hand washing was an "extrabiblical law" that only existed in oral form.  Regardless of the extent to which such rituals were part of the law or not, Jesus goes right to the core in His response by challenging the Pharisees and their "external" faith based on deeds and Old Testament ceremonial law.  He focuses on what comes out of our mouth from our heart - as our heart condition is most important.

What can we do to cleanse and guard our heart?

Practical suggestions:
The Battle for Your Mind
Seven Ways to Pray for Your Heart

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have transformed my heart and life to be more like You - I know You are still at work in my heart and life but I have experienced miracles in my life already - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel.

1 Chronicles 22

May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. v12-13

David is "a man after God's heart" and someone whom God loved.

Yet in his guidance for Solomon, David focuses on performance vs the condition of his heart.  I have often focused on my own sons' external condition vs their heart condition.  We must instruct our children that any success we experience is solely because of God's grace and His sovereignty.  This is why God had to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us - because there is nothing we can do to earn God's grace, His blessings, or His love.  God also does not promise a trouble free life - see John 16:33.  If we work hard for anything it should be because it glorifies God through us - not because we expect any gain - see also 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me - even though I am broken.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” v7

After the Lord rejects Saul as King, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's son's as the new king.  The Lord guides Samuel to look not at outward appearances but inward to one's heart condition.

Jesus echoes a similar sentiment when he admonishes the Jewish leaders for focusing too much on the law vs one's heart:

Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:21-24

As a parent, I must focus on Zach and Dustin's heart condition and too often I don't.  Thank You Jesus for prompting to me refocus on their hearts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me. You provide many, many second chances.  You provide for me. You heal me.  You forgive me...thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me.  Yet I am undeserving - I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.