A rabbi friend of mine told me this story: A rabbi noticed his umbrella was missing, and he suspected someone in his congregation had stolen it. He decided to preach on the 10 commandments on the next sabbath, emphasizing commandment 8; “Thou shalt not steal”. He would emphasize the terribly offensive evil of theft, the mightiness of God’s wrath, and the forgiveness available if the thief repented and returned the stolen property. When he was done, his umbrella would be returned. That sabbath, he ascended the pulpit, and announced his topic, the 10 commandments. Since he wanted to emphasize #8, he decided to start at the end with #10, and get there faster. So he shouted, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife”. And that reminded him of where he had left his umbrella.
The first chapter of Romans gives us a laundry list of sins, most of which we don’t do or we can overlook in ourselves, because they are so much more obvious in others. But while we are ignoring our own sin and feeling superior to lesser mortals whose sins are obvious, the Holy Spirit is preparing a boomerang. I am a sinner. The good news is no good to me until I know that. So Paul asks the searching question, “Do you suppose, you foolish person who passes judgment on those who practice such things and yet does them as well, that you will escape the judgment of God?” (Rom.2:3) When we look for sin, we better start by looking in the mirror.
One way we deceive ourselves is by comparing ourselves with other, more blatant, sinners. We may look down on thieves while we cheat a little on our income taxes, or bring something home from the workplace, or waste time at work (Rom.2:21). We may bemoan an adulterous friend or fallen celebrity while we deal with rampant lust inside our hearts (2:22). We may be ready to contend for the integrity of our holy place, while we find accepted ways to make that “house of prayer” a “den of thieves” (2:22). Jesus thought the church big shots milked the temple like their personal cash cow, and we can make our religion profitable too; just look at the health and wealth gospel preachers.
Paul calls on us to shake off our self satisfied sanctimoniousness and pray the words of Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts, and see if there is a wicked way in me; and lead me in the way everlasting.”
See you Sunday.