“Pray that you would be more aware of the law written on your heart and act accordingly”

 Read Romans 1:1-3:20.

Reflect on Romans 2:17-29.

We’ve all heard the saying “with great privilege comes great responsibility,” But privilege is often taken for granted.  As a Roman citizen, a student of a great Jewish teacher, and a member of the Sanhedrin, Paul knew this better than most.

The Christians at Rome probably included Jews and Gentiles. Paul seems to anticipate that his Jewish audience would be jarred by his declaration in 2:11: “God shows no partiality.” After all, didn’t God make a covenant with the Jews, give them his law, and set them apart with circumcision (9:4-5)? They are his people, and he will judge them differently, won’t he?

Paul answer with a resounding “No!” God judges Jews and Gentiles impartially because having and hearing the law is not enough to be justified. Only those who fulfill the law will be justified (1:13). Although the Jews had the privilege of receiving the law (3:2), the Gentiles have the law, too – a law “written on their hearts” (1:15). All people will be judged according to whether they obey the law they have received.

             Paul understands his Jewish audience’s feeling of privilege and addresses it. Does knowledge of the law help the Jews be more obedient? Does not having the law make the Gentiles act more rebelliously?  The Jews boast in having the law and in being circumcised as God’s people, and that privilege makes them even more guilty in their rebellious actions (2:17-24). Instead, God’s true people are circumcised inwardly, with his law written on their hearts by the Spirit.

Pray that you would be more aware of the law written on your heart and act accordingly.