ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
facturecf in so-called Christian lands. Can you and I stand !- -- -- ~~ the test of these searching questions penned by Paul? Mis- \ sionaries tell us that their own country-men are their greates - obstacle in dealing with the heathen. How can the explain the sale of opium? How can they justify the shipment of Bibles and whiskey on the same vessel? No wonder the natives scoff at the corrupt lives of many officials, when they think all these foreigners represent Christianity! The proud Jew had no answer to offer to these questions. Neither can you and I escape the condemnation of God if we reject His grace. Paul gave a sweeping summary of the in- dictment against the Jew in verse 24: "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is writ- ten." "As it is written" in the Old Testament, Israel was to be a witness to Jehovah before the Gentiles. But. as a nation, she failed. What about your testimony, my Christian friend? What about mine? Shall we bring reproach upon the Lord ) who bought us with His own blood? In verses 25-29 of this second chapter Paul shows how outward ceremonies and sacraments and ritual will not save the soul. The Jew boasted in circumcision, the token of God's covenant with Abraham. But it takes more than an outward symbol to save the soul. Many today trust in the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper who know no more of the significance of these sacred ordinances than did the Jews know about circumcision. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change of heart; it represents death to sin with Christ, and resurrection with Him. It means that the Christian should walk with Him "in newness of life." And it would be better for that man not to partake of the Lord's Supper who denies the efficacy of His shed blood and broken body-these are things of the heart! Paul knew that this argument would be a terrific blow to rabbinical pride and ceremonies. He knew it would raise objection. How was he to reconcile the place and privilege of Israel with God's promise to that nation? Therefore, in Page 38)
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