Day 54/260: Read Romans 2

Hypocrisy is one of the most cited reasons for rejecting Christ. No one likes a hypocrite. A lot of people can talk the talk, but if they’re not also walking the walk, their influence is destroyed.

If you are going to teach against sinful practices (and you should—in love), then you must also avoid those same practices. When we fail in this, we dishonor God. Paul quotes from the prophets here, “For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written.”

Jesus Himself taught against hypocrisy. The Pharisees were very proud of their heritage and the knowledge of the Law of Moses, but they attempted to circumvent the Law in several ways, inventing loopholes and ignoring commands. They pronounced condemnation against others while committing more egregious sins themselves. They were not consistent in their application.

We should heed the words of James, who wrote, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25).

Memory (Fill in the blanks)

Romans 1:16. For I am not _______________ of the gospel of _______________, for it is the power of God to salvation for _______________ who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Pray

Pray for patience with your brethren who are weaker, and pray for patience with those who may be living hypocritically.