In Romans 1:18 Paul addresses those–both anciently and today–who know God’s Truth (Word-Jn. 17:17) but suppress it by not doing what the Lord commands us to do. He warns us that the wrath of God will descend from heaven on those who choose to obey Satan instead of their Creator. Paul points out that failing to obey His Truth (sinning) makes us ungodly and unrighteous. This clearly reveals that God commands us to be godly and righteous which is possible only by obeying His written Word, which is possible only through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Not even Jesus of Nazareth could operate on his on spiritual power (Jn. 5:30).

In the previous series we learned that we are all commanded to be apostles (our “brother’s keepers”) through our “walk” in this life. As we are told in First John 2:6 and Revelation 3:12 and 21, we are commanded to “walk as Jesus walked” and to “overcome (Satan’s temptations) as Jesus overcame” them. To not do so is to serve Satan. Our life’s walk is strictly an “either/or” situation. We are either serving God or serving Satan. There is no other option (Mat. 12:30/ Rev. 3:15,16). Church sinners (Law-breakers) reject Christ’s Words, claiming that their sin-repent system is working to perfection. According to “sinners saved by grace,” they have the best of both worlds–they can do what they want to do and get away with it. However, God declares that we are spiritually with God or with the church masses. Read Who Are God’s People? and “My People Who Are Called By My Name.” Key words–People and Called.

In 2:17-20 Paul specifically addresses those who, though they know the Scriptures–specifically the Ten Commandment Law–they refuse to obey them. In this passage Paul tells us that, in the eyes of God, all true, obedient believers are Spiritual Jews (my term). Whether they are biological Jews or biological Gentiles makes no difference–GOD’S TRUE SAINTS ARE SPIRITUAL JEWS. Keep this in mind as we study these verses. Notice that from the first verse of chapter 2 that Paul is addressing every Law breaker in the church. He uses the word “you” (“whosoever you are”-vs 1) in the singular, individual sense as well as in the plural, church-wide sense. In this way he tells us that no matter what anyone or everyone else does, each of us is responsible for his individual relationship with God and His Law. By our “walk” through this life we proclaim that we are either with Him or against Him. There is no gray area in the spiritual realm.

In verse 17 Paul notes that members of the church are called “Jews” because the Jews have and have always had the Law. True Jews (saints–Spiritual Jews) are those who obey that Law. Here he says that church members (“My people called by My name) are “CALLED JEWS,” indicating that they “rest in the Law and boast that they are God’s true saints.” By calling themselves “Jews” they claim to “KNOW GOD’S WILL,” and having been “INSTRUCTED IN THE LAW”, know what is “EXCELLENT.” Throughout this discourse remember that Paul is also writing to those in the church today. What was true and right, false and wrong for the early church is the same today. God does not change, nor do His requirements for salvation. We must approach the entire Bible from that point of view.

In verses 19 and 20 Paul “speaks” to the church throughout her history. He notes that church members see themselves as GUIDES of the spiritually blind and as LIGHTS to those living in darkness. They view themselves as INSTRUCTORS of others though they only have the FORM OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTHE FOUND IN THE LAW. In other words, they know God’s Word but refuse to obey it.

In verses 21 through 25 the apostle points out the hypocrisy of the Law breakers in the church who today call themselves “sinners saved by grace.” He chastises those who teach others but do not teach themselves. He asks if they do what they tell other people to do. He is addressing those who boast about having the Word of God but refuse to obey the Ten Commandment Law that is the heart of it. By breaking one of the commandments they “dishonor God and blaspheme His name.” Commandment #4 immediately comes to mind as it is the premier sin by which Satan has deceived the religious masses into joining him in his Catholic/Protestant Religious System globally known as “Christianity.”

In verse 25 Paul uses the words “circumcision” and “Jews” interchangeably by saying: “Circumcision” (being a biological Jew) profits IF, AND ONLY IF the Jew is a keeper of the Law (a Spiritual Jew–a Christian). However, if a biological Jew does not keep the Law, his Jewishness (having been circumcised) “is made uncircumcision.” A Law-rejecting Jew, in the eyes of God, is a Spiritual Gentile–a spiritual “dog” (Mk. 7:27). These are those in the church who pretend to be Jews (true saints) but are in Biblical reality counterfeit Christians (Spiritual Gentiles–Law rejecters–workers of iniquity). Read Matthew 7:21-23.

In 2:2-10 Paul addresses Law-breakers in the church (Spiritual Gentiles), warning them that “the judgment of God will be in accordance to Truth (God’s Word–Jn. 17:17) for those who claim to be Spiritual Jews (God’s true believers) but are not. They are in reality Spiritual Gentiles (Heb.–heathen). Such people will not escape judgement because they refuse to TRULY REPENT AND PROVE THEIR REPENTANCE BY OBEYING THE LAW. By continuing to sin (break the Law–1 Jn. 3:4) they “treasure (save) up sins and wrath unto themselves until the day of wrath (Judgment Day)” when they will face the righteous judgment of God Who will “render to every man according to his DEEDS,” not according to his faith, religiosity, etc. Read James 2:10,14,17,18, 20,24,

In verses 7 and 10 Paul reminds us that those who “patiently continue in well-DOING” will be rewarded with glory, honor, eternal life and peace.” However, those who refuse to obey God’s Law (His Sabbath commandment, for example) will receive indignation, wrath, tribulation and anguish (vss 8,9).

Further proof that God views His true saints (His church) as Spiritual Jews is found in verses 26-29 where he says that if the uncircumcised (biological Gentile) obeys the “righteousness of the Law,” his Gentileness will be counted as Jewishness,” making him a true saint of God–a Spiritual Jew. The biological Gentile who obeys the Law will judge the biological Jew who does not obey the Law–a Spiritual Gentile. Paul explains that an obedient biological Jew is a Spiritual Jew (saint of God) because of his SPIRITUAL CIRCUMCISION–HAVING REMOVED EVERYTHING WITHIN HIMSELF THAT IS NOT OF GOD.

Let us all work to be Spiritual Jews like the man Jesus of Nazareth for, as He told the Samaritan woman at well, “… SALVATION IS OF THE JEWS” (Jn. 4:22). SALVATION WILL COME TO THOSE WHO EMBRACE JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR LORD IN THIS LIFE. He will be the Savior only of those who do so. A good indication of that Truth is found by counting the number of times in the New Testament Jesus is called the saint’s LORD and how many times He is called the saint’s SAVIOR in this life. He is referred to as the saints Savior 26 times and his Lord approximately 630 times. The message is clear: IF JESUS IS NOT OUR LORD ( MASTER, RULER) IN THIS LIFE HE WILL NOT BE OUR SAVIOR IN THE NEXT LIFE. It is written about Him that He will RULE HIS PEOPLE (Mat. 2:6). AS THEIR KING HE RULES BY HIS LAW. It was Him, as the Old testament God, who wrote that Law with His finger in stone. His people are those who obey Him, making them Spiritual Israelites/Jews. Read The God of the Old Testament. Key word–Old. L.J.