Romans 2:12-16 :: Knowing vs Doing

Paul wrote this letter to a melting-pot church: all followers of Jesus, but from very different backgrounds and prior religious experiences; some Jews who knew the Ten Commandments and other laws of God, and many others who had never heard of them.  Yet, all of them seemed to have a common moral understanding.  Where does that come from?

The Jews were convinced that their knowledge of the Law of God positioned them better with God, but Paul blew holes right through that arrogant idea.  Knowing and Doing are not the same thing.  In fact, doing is better knowing than knowing is.  What would God prefer?  That you memorize the Ten Commandments, or that you obey them all without ever seeing the list?  The answer is obvious, and sobering.  We're studying Romans, and study has enormous benefits, but also severe limits.  We will have learned a lot by the time we're done, but that's not God's goal for us.  Our lives demonstrate what we've really learned.

I recently had an opportunity to partner with a lady in our community to serve another family in need.  From my perspective, I would say this lady is "unchurched."  She may not see herself that way.  She and her family have an interest in church, but there have been obstacles to them getting involved in one.  Anyway, back to the story: it became clear to me that this lady had repeatedly taken the initiative to serve this family.  She had reached out when others had not, kind of a modern-day Good Samaritan.  I only got involved because she contacted me, believing I might be able to help (and I was able to do so).  I was encouraged that she saw me, a Christian and local pastor, as a go-to person in a situation like this.  But I was also reminded that all the training and knowledge in the world don't necessarily produce a good heart; she hasn't had the benefit of a bunch of Bible study or church training, but all the folks who have were not the ones who made a difference for this local family in crisis.  And, incidentally, while this lady has yet to attend one of our Sunday gatherings, she and her family have come to a couple of our table gatherings.

Here are just some implications of this teaching:

• What does this tell you about the way we do church?
• What are the benefits and limits of knowledge and training?
• If basic morality is commonly understood among all people groups (as Paul implies), then that is not our unique contribution as Christians to the world.  What, then, is our unique contribution?
• How do (or should) we respond when people of other faiths, or no faith in particular, do good or demonstrate moral understanding?