Romans 2:21 "you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself?"
Paul has some harsh words here for the Jewish leaders and teachers in Rome. At that time many Jews-especially teachers, thought of themselves as superior to Gentiles. Paul confronts these conceded and hypocritical attitudes. He tells them that if they think they are so high and mighty, they better be practicing what they are preaching. I'm sure Paul knew many of them were not "walking the talk." Jesus had similar encounters with the religious elite years earlier. The point of Paul's barrage is that we ultimately are all equal at the foot of the cross and if we are going to be a leader or teacher, we better be modeling what we are preaching.
I'll never forget Rob Bell once saying to a group of pastors, "Are you smoking what you're selling?" I better ask myself that question every day! The worst thing in the world is to be a poser, phony, fraud, or hypocrite.
Dear God, help me to smoke what I'm selling. Amen.
Paul has some harsh words here for the Jewish leaders and teachers in Rome. At that time many Jews-especially teachers, thought of themselves as superior to Gentiles. Paul confronts these conceded and hypocritical attitudes. He tells them that if they think they are so high and mighty, they better be practicing what they are preaching. I'm sure Paul knew many of them were not "walking the talk." Jesus had similar encounters with the religious elite years earlier. The point of Paul's barrage is that we ultimately are all equal at the foot of the cross and if we are going to be a leader or teacher, we better be modeling what we are preaching.
I'll never forget Rob Bell once saying to a group of pastors, "Are you smoking what you're selling?" I better ask myself that question every day! The worst thing in the world is to be a poser, phony, fraud, or hypocrite.
Dear God, help me to smoke what I'm selling. Amen.
