17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— “

The Jews are the children of God. They have received the goodness of the Lord. God loved them. His miracles, redemption, and prophecies all came from Israel. They received the promised land. They had the Scriptures from God. They were proud of being religious people.

Unfortunately there were some people who would fall for idol worship of their neighbors; there were some who committed secret sins. There were some who gave God a bad name when they acted out, but mostly those of Judah’s tribe delighted in the Lord and His temple and were the people of circumcision.

Yet, they thought their privileged position exempted them from the judgment of God. They thought their eternal salvation was secure, solely based on their nationality, because they were the offspring of Abraham.

Many people take pride in their family heritage in their local church. Their grandfather or father helped build the church. They were long-term members and givers to the church. These pillars of the church kept the witness going when things got tough. You can count on certain families, but as it the case too often, who we are, and control in churches can get in the way of the work of God today.

Judi reminded me I retired 13 years ago from Stanchfield Baptist I served there 28 years. I has a rich spiritual heritage. The persecution of their founders in Sweden served as an example of faith for us today. Their evangelistic zeal was such that they were concerned about the souls of the new immigrants that moved into their community.

But we cannot take comfort in the blessings of yesterday. We do not ride on the coattails of our parents’ faith or even those who helped build up a godly reputation. Having the right family doesn’t impress God, any more than being a member of a particular church.

Some people take pride in doing the right rituals- This is where the circumcision takes priority because it is the ritual of obedience. Circumcision was a sign of belonging to God and is the word that also refers not only the physical act of the religious ritual among the males, but the sign that says they are the family, the nation, the people whom God loves and that counts for something in the last days.

But there were other rituals as well. They wanted to do their worship correctly. They wanted to offer sacrifices correctly. They wanted to observe the Sabbaths the way prescribed by Moses and the law. They were very good. They followed the rules.

The good people do it right and go to church and see that their kids go to church and we think this puts us in good standing with God.

One of the subtle traps of religion is the idea that somehow, if we participate in religious activity or ritual, that will gain us favor with God. There are many through the history of mankind who have regarded religion as primarily a matter of ceremony and ritual. They had correct doctrine. They taught others the laws of God. They knew the writings of Moses. They knew the prophecies. They had been students of the Torah. They have been singing the Psalms of David since they were small. I am sure they memorized Scriptures and studied the different theologians and interpretations on the passages of the Bible. It was delivered to Jews, through Jews. It had been preserved and passed down by Jews. The Jews felt that mere possession of the Law constituted righteousness.

They had the right answers. 

I had a friend who was a pastor and conference leader who gave up the faith after he had an affair. When I visited him, he knew all the answers, but down deep he told me it was all a façade. He never really believed it. He only practiced it because that is all he knew from a youth up.

I sadly discovered there are many who affirm God, accept God's word, and participate in the rights and rituals of the church. These are people who openly identify with God and His Commandments. The shocking thing about them, however, is that they are lost. They are religious but lost! A guide for the blind.  A light for those in the dark.  An instructor for the foolish.

We might call them hypocrites.

I will write more on this in the following days. 

Dale