What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there is circumcision? Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. (NIV)

One of the many values I am trying to teach my children that will hopefully make them pleasant members of society someday is responsibility. One phrase my children often hear is, “if you see something that needs attention, it is now your responsibility to take care of it.” They cringe at that statement, because they can’t NOT notice a sticky spot on the floor, a cluttered countertop, or tripping over shoes in the garage that haven’t made it onto the shelf. The thought of doing something simply because it’s the right thing to do is sometimes no fun.  

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In Romans chapter 3, Paul is speaking to Jewish Christians of their advantage in being Jews. First, he says that simply because God chose to reveal his law to them, they had an advantage. Since God revealed his law, they were responsible to follow it, and because they could not follow it perfectly, they were able to understand the standard to which they were falling short. Paul recognizes in Romans 2:14 that some Gentiles naturally know right from wrong even without knowing God’s law, but did not have the words of God to follow as the Jews did. So, the Jews have this advantage: they knew what was expected of them.  

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One word in this passage that seems to throw off modern audiences because of its literal meaning is “circumcision.” Although circumcision is exactly what it implies, there is also an inferred meaning of holiness or being “set apart.” God chose to set the Jews apart to make his people different from the world, but if they disregard his law, they do not look very different from the world and are choosing not to be set apart. In other words, as 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “…man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” Physically, they were Jews, but God wanted their hearts’ desire to be obedient.  

If Paul were writing to a modern Christian audience, it might sound a little like an argument for taking responsibility, much like my repeated phrase to my children. Another phrase they have heard me say is “I want you to WANT to help.” Ultimately, it isn’t enough for me that they found the sticky spot on the floor and now have the responsibility to clean it up; I also want them to have a good attitude while doing it. Yes, as I write it out, it does sound like I have impossibly high standards. Notice, I didn’t tell you how it’s going. Let’s just say, I have heard the response, “I don’t like this family,” before.  

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I share this because I see the parallels in Pauls’ words to the Jews here. They know the law, so they have the responsibility to follow it, but it’s not just about following the law, there is a desire and even an expectation that they would joyfully keep the law. Paul is calling out those who know the law of God yet are relying heavily on his grace to forgive rather than taking responsibility that they know better than what their behavior suggests. They were stepping in a sticky spot on the floor and pretending they didn’t, if you will; then the attitude of their heart was that of a child whining, “I don’t like this family!”

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So how are we supposed to balance knowing the truth and then having the responsibility to act accordingly? It does not sound like much of an “advantage.” There is a reason we have the phrases, “Ignorance is bliss,” or “what I don’t know can’t hurt me.” We tend to love to live with less responsibility, yet we are called to live holy and set apart. Conversely, we are not to view our holiness as a badge of honor, like we are God’s special little someone. Instead, we are to bring honor to God. Our love for God should be our motive for obeying his law.  

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I am not sure I can adequately conclude my thoughts for you, as there’s much room for self-reflection here. So, I leave you with this food for thought: what is your advantage in knowing the truth of God’s word verses just being a good person? Do you have the attitude, like my kids, of begrudging the responsibility that is now yours in living according to what God says is best? Do you joyfully follow God’s law as best you can, thanking him that he’s revealed the truth to you? Now I’m totally going to “mom” you: in your self-reflection, “if you see something that needs attention, it is now your responsibility to take care of it.” Bring it to God, confess, repent, and ask him to help you live differently. God wants you to want to obey, because obedience means he has your heart, and that’s all God wants.  

Lord, thank you for your Word. Thank you for loving us by giving us your word. I pray you would give us joy in our responsibility to obey and our love for you would be steadfast. I pray you would help us to live set apart from the world. Amen.