From Hebrews To Christ-Like Gentiles Part One

When looking closely,
you shall see what most cannot.
When believing wholeheartedly,
you shall be shown what others dismiss.

People view Christ, His rule from Above on the heavenly throne, in quite limited ways some times.

Christendom (the kingdom of Christ established on earth) is sometimes understood in a political context.

Reading how God protected the Hebrew exiles while in captivity teaches that God is Sovereign no matter the political context or whomever 'looks' to wield temporal power.

Some suspect in places where Christ cannot be publicly praised as the Lord your God, that somehow the Spirit of Christ does not rule thereabouts as it does everywhere else on earth.

These are very limited human concepts.

They are limiting in approach and understanding of what God has long accomplished on earth.

Some view Christendom in a narrow religious context, suspecting that where one religion reigns in popularity and touted as 'true' that somehow the Gospel of Christ is null and void.

This concept also underestimates what God has done and continues to do; in what He has allowed according to His will, and how He has desired to let certain realities persist on earth.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. 

All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Yeshua Christ, as my gospel declares. 

Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 

Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. 

A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. 

- Romans 2

Reflect on this chapter's message to the church.

Notice it speaks to believers in the risen Christ.

It warns them about judging others (inside and outside their identifiable circles).

This message explains a mystery not easily explained, so I won't go far into an attempt.

What I will ask you is to consider how the 'difference' between Jew and Gentile is minimized regarding exterior notions.

The bridge between these two identities (Jew and Gentile) is met in the fact that judgment will not be according to human observation nor human understanding.

To me, this chapter explains and answers the question about salvation directed to those who may have never heard of Christ (or the concept of a Savior), either before or after Christ appeared in the flesh.

This chapter also explains that God's justice is beyond the human's ability to understand righteousness, judgment, and the secrets of a man's heart.

The human makes judgments about things every day.

Many of these judgments are nearsighted or not clearly understood.

In the mirror is where our judgments should be soberly first considered.

People are often tempted to pass judgment on others prior to picturing themselves as those they wish to judge, especially over religious matters they feel strongly about.

Yet the last time I checked, one man is still unable to see the heart another man.

This chapter in Romans addresses such arrogance and pride, directed not only towards first century Jews who prided themselves due to their familial heritage, but also those who may take pride in their faith in Christ as Lord... yet fail to love others as Christ loves all others.

Can you imagine why people today strive against religious and hypocritical so-called 'Christians' who do not reflect Christ the Savior, lover of people, embracer of sinners and the Holy One full of grace and truth?

Who is convinced by “do as I say not as I do”?

This is why it is the Spirit of Yeshua that touches the hearts of others, while every person is recognized as a human being falling short of perfection (Yeshua is Perfection in human form).

Those sealed by His Spirit know very well that their words only go so far; their actions being weightier than their words.

It is very difficult for hearers to decipher between the Gospel being exemplified by a Christian (one who actually lives like Christ) and the actions of someone who is religiously puffed up in repeating the Gospel's words, but failing miserably to 'live' the Gospel (living sacrifices).

Thank God He saves His children according to what is mentioned in this chapter, and not according to man's limited understanding of the mysterious.

Continued in Part Two.