Real Righteousness - Romans 2:17-29

Real righteousness works from the inside out.

 

1. Unmasking the conceit of the self-righteous Romans 2:17-24

 

Terrifying New Halloween Mask Depicts a Human Face Not Wearing a Mask (with BabylonBee pic)

 a. their privileges   Romans 2:17-18

 Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
Jeremiah 9:23-24

 

 b. their perception Romans 2:19-20

 c. their practice Romans 2:21-24

 We are here warned, first, not to flatter ourselves and to despise others, when we have performed only some portions of the law - and, secondly, not to glory in having outward idolatry removed, while we 
care not to drive away and to eradicate the impiety that lieth hid in our hearts.
- John Calvin

 

 Real righteousness works from the inside out.

 

 2. Understanding true conversion by the Spirit
Romans 2:25-29

 

 "Run, John, run!" the Law commands But gives neither feet nor hands. Better news the Gospel brings: It bids me fly and gives me wings.

 

 When you came to Christ, you were "circumcised," but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision - the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when 
you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

 

 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges 
against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:11-14 NLT

 

 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above. ... Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ...

 

 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry ... put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the 
image of its creator ...

 

 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, ... put on love. Colossians 3:1-2, 5, 10, 12, 14

 

 Real righteousness works from the inside out.