21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?
22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
24 For "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES BECAUSE OF YOU," just as it is written.
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In this passage Paul is trying to establish the sinfulness of sin. First he tackled the overt sins (adultery, murder, debauchery, etc) but in chapter 2 he is looking at the "religious". These people tend to be self righteous because they are not typically committing the overt, but more hidden sins. That is were I picked up this section of scripture...
VS 24 is striking to me: "THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES [unbelievers] BECAUSE OF YOU". This is exactly the opposite of what we are called to do. We are in this world to share the Gospel with unbelievers and live our lives in such a way that people see the difference. God has changed you, if you believe!
Are you living like a changed person? Or do people see your actions, associate you with God and think poorly of Him? Even more damaging, do your actions allow unbelievers to downplay their own need for a Savior?
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