Are we using God’s law rightly?
Scripture: Romans 2:17-24 (ESV)
“But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.'”
Devotion:
Imagine you’ve been handed the ultimate user’s manual for life, one that perfectly guides you on how to live righteously. Now, imagine using this manual not to adjust your own life, but to point out where others are going wrong, all the while ignoring the sections that apply to you. Paul’s message to the Jews is a bit like holding up a mirror to someone who’s been using it to reflect the sun into other people’s eyes. He’s asking them, and us, to use it on ourselves first.
The Jews took pride in their special knowledge of God’s law, considering themselves guides for the spiritually blind and teachers for those who were ignorant. Yet, Paul challenges them—and by extension, us—to reflect on whether we live by the very standards we preach. It’s easy to fall into the trap of using our knowledge of right and wrong as a tool for judgment rather than as a mirror for self-reflection.
This passage serves as a poignant reminder that knowledge of what is right is not the same as doing what is right. The real test of our faith and understanding is not in how well we can criticize the actions of others but in how sincerely we scrutinize and amend our own behavior. When we fail to do this, our actions can lead to God’s name being dishonored among those who do not yet believe.
Jesus addresses this issue by embodying the law, not just in words but in action. He lived out the law to its fullest, showing us that the path to righteousness is not through legalistic adherence or spiritual superiority, but through love, humility, and genuine self-examination. Jesus invites us to a faith that goes beyond the surface, one that transforms our hearts and, through our actions, reveals the true nature of God to the world.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your law, which guides us in Your will and reveals Your character. Forgive me for the times I’ve used Your standards as a measure against others while ignoring my own shortcomings. Help me to use Your word as a mirror for my soul, allowing it to transform me from the inside out. Teach me to live in a way that honors You, drawing others to Your love through my actions and not just my words. Amen.
Challenge for the Day:
Today, before you speak or act, pause and reflect: Are you about to do something you would advise against if you were on the receiving end? Aim to practice what you preach, making sure your actions align with the values you hold dear. Let your life be a testament to the transformative power of living according to God’s law of love.