The Worst WItness

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physicallyuncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God." (Romans 2)

Paul has been pushing his way past all the excuses people make for insisting they are not subject to God's righteous judgment.  For the Jews in his audience, circumcision, as the mark of their covenant, had for some become an excuse. They began to feel they were "above the Law", holding a place of superiority over Gentiles. They rightly believed God intended them to "teach" the world about God, but often failed to teach themselves and live by God's standards. The carryover today is to those who loudly proclaim to "love the Lord" and be his people, yet live no differently, and even less decently than the world around us.  We too can become the worst witness for God, when we ought to be the best.  We need to be instruments and illustrations of God's grace and holiness. By no means will we ever be perfect, but the pursuit should be so obvious, no one can be turned off by our proclamation or lifestyle.