T hus far, we see Paul establishing the culpability of both Gentile and Jews in the matter of guilt before God. Now he takes a step further to address the presumptuousness of the Jews who possessed a superiority complex because they had been given the Law of Moses. They regarded themselves to be teachers to those they deemed ignorant and inferior in standing before Jehovah. God through Moses had commanded that man should not steal [Exodus 20:15]. Every Jew worth his salt knew this in their head. But knowing and doing are not the same thing. The interactions between the Lord Jesus and the Pharisees made this abundantly clear. By their cunning and disingenuous rationalization, they masked their dishonest practice and insincerity with a veneer of outward piety. They preyed upon the widows and downtrodden with their merciless and sharp practices. They took advantage of the poor and desperate, profiting through usury and greed [Matthew 23:14]. They neglected caring for the needy and avoided the costs of Temple sacrifices with clever words and reasoning [Mark 7:11]. In short, they were guilty of breaking the very law Moses commanded and what they preached. This is pertinent to us who are Jesus’ disciples to hold His Inspired Word as our rule of faith and life. Often, we are careless and selective in applying God’s Word. It is not the big things our Lord looks at, but every little act and motivation. We do not rob banks, but do we keep the wrong change? Let us not presume upon our knowledge and possession of His Word but realize that while we abide in mortal corrupted bodies, we need the Spirit’s help to guard against sin, so as to keep God’s Word and glorify Him.
LESSON
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself ? thou that preachest a man
should not steal, dost thou steal?
It is not what we say but what we do. May our practice match our profession.
THOUGHT
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