SCRIPTURE
19 You are so sure of the way to God that you could point it out to a blind man. You think of yourselves as beacon lights, directing men who are lost in darkness to God. 20 You think that you can guide the simple and teach even children the affairs of God, for you really know his laws, which are full of all knowledge and truth.
21 Yes, you teach others--then why don't you teach yourselves? You tell others not to steal--do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery--do you do it? You say "Don't pray to idols" and then make money your god instead.
23 You are so proud of knowing God's laws, but you dishonor him by breaking them. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say that the world speaks evil of God because of you.
25 Being a Jew is worth something if you obey God's laws; but if you don't, then you are no better off than the heathen. 26 And if the heathen obey God's laws, won't God give them all the rights and honors he planned to give the Jews? 27 In fact, those heathen will be much better off than you Jews who know so much about God and have his promises but don't obey his laws
OBSERVATION
Its annoying when you are counting on someone and they don’t live up to their word. We have all done it to our spouses, friends and family but I must add one more to the list that we have done it to.
How many times have we made promises to God or we commit ourselves to obey Him and then we turned out to be a traitor.
We dare to judge others and pass that judgement along in gossip, which sometimes is disguised as a prayer request, but so often we forget that in some other situation we may be guilty of the same exact sin.
“When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are talking about yourselves, for you do these very same things. And we know that God, in justice, will punish anyone who does such things as these. Do you think that God will judge and condemn others for doing them and overlook you when you do them, too?”
Not so with God He gave us His word and He will follow through “He will give each one whatever his deeds deserve” (verse 6). “But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all that obey him, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. For God treats everyone the same.“
APPLICATION
I will show mercy to those that stumble in their Christian walk in hopes that they will extend the same mercy to me when I fail.
PRAYER
Help me Lord to obey your commands consistently.
