for circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. so, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? [romans 2:25-26]
how many ways can paul talk about the hypocrisy of our heart?
many.
as a reminder – he is what he has said about the hypocrisy of our heart.
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.” [romans 2:21-24]
what is key to note here in paul’s list is that all of this hypocrisy – was a matter of the heart – not just one’s actions.
- you can teach others truth – and not let the truth impact your own heart.
- you preach and call others to repentance – and not live in repentance in your heart and actions.
- you can hate idols – and yet make and idol in your own heart out of anything.
- you can judge others in their adulterous acts – and yet commit adultery in your heart by your sexual thoughts toward another. (says Jesus in matthew 5:27-28)
hypocrisy – is not about being a sinner.
we are all sinners.
hypocrisy – is speaking against sin and then acting as if you do not sin, or do not struggle with sin, or (and this is paul’s main thrust) you hide your sin.
to God – circumcision was the outward sign that his people were in covenant with him.
to the hypocritical jew paul is addressing here – circumcision was a means of salvation.
so, if they were circumcised, they believed they could live however they wished. that is breaking the law wantonly was not an issue because their right standing before God was settled by being jewish. circumcision, the law, their lineage – all assured them they were right with God.
even though their wanton, rebellious, unrepentant sin indicated they were not right with God.
their hypocrisy was this: with their mouth they said they were God’s holy people and yet their actions revealed their hearts were far, far from God’s heart.
the gospel of mark quotes isaiah with this damning truth about what this hypocrisy reveals…
this people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, [mark 7:6-7]
our hypocrisy reveals the condition of our heart.
our hypocrisy reveals the brokenness of our worship.
our hypocrisy reveals what we worship.
to the jew in paul’s indictment – they worshipped their history that they believed exempted them from sin.
in truth – it just revealed their greatest sin – they didn’t see a need for a savior so they hated Jesus and his claims that he came to seek and save the lost – and that they were lost, in need of saving.
what is your hypocrisy revealing about your heart today, your worship?
ask the LORD.
please, let us take a moment to confess our latest struggle with hypocrisy and the ask the LORD – what does this reveal about my heart, my worship?
where is my heart far from you?
where is my worship running after another savior, another redeemer, another who will give me worth and value?
o LORD,
hear our prayers. we long for our hearts to be pure and close to yours.
thank you for Jesus who gave us new hearts through his death and resurrection.
thank you for your Spirit who continues to purify our hearts even now.
we see our hypocrisy – thank you for forgiveness.
now help us see what it reveals about our heart, our worship.
speak to us now LORD.
in Jesus’ name –
amen.
~ john ryan