Is it an asset, a liability, or both?

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sound doctrine, strong faith”

Our Bible verse for today: “So what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?” Romans 3:1 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Is it an asset, a liability, or both?”

As we continue to think about developing sound doctrine on which to build a strong faith, our discussion now turns to the subject of our Christian heritage as a nation. Heritage is the subject Paul addresses now in his letter to the Roman Christians regarding the heritage of the Jews. Specifically, he discusses the pros and cons of Jewish heritage. Did the Jews have an advantage over others because of their heritage? Well, yes and no. And while we’re thinking about them, I think the question should also cause us to consider whether we, as Christians in the USA, have an advantage because of our Godly heritage. And the answer again is both yes and no.

There can be no question that the Jews had a Godly, Biblical heritage. In a previous devotional in this series, we looked at Genesis chapter seventeen where God instituted physical circumcision as a sign of the covenant that He was making with the Israelites that He would be their God, and they would be His people. Then the entire Old Testament records the history of the Jews with God.

So, there can be no question about their heritage, and the Jews themselves certainly thought there was huge advantage to it. So much so that they believed their Godly heritage made them special and above every other society and culture. They were sure they were blessed by God simply because of their heritage. That was a big part of their problem – many of them had become just cultural Jews rather than spiritual Jews.

Likewise, we here in America can point to a solid Biblical heritage. I have preached, taught, and written about this many times before. We have our Judeo/Christian Ethic upon which this nation was founded and which has been the underpinning of our values and our culture for most of our history. Sadly, liberal historians are working overtime trying to rewrite our history and trying to write our Biblical heritage out of the historical narrative, but that is intellectual dishonesty. Any fair reading of the historical facts reveals the truth that at our founding and at our core, we are a nation that has a strong Biblical heritage.

But just like with the Jews, we need to see that just because we are citizens of a nation with a Biblical foundation and a Christian heritage, that by itself would only make us cultural Christians. Being people who have a deep and strong relationship with Jesus Christ is something else entirely.

We will think more about this tomorrow. For today, I encourage each of us to prayerfully consider how deep, real, and genuine is your faith? Is it more cultural than spiritual? Cultural faith can be deceptive and misleading. It can give people a false sense of assurance with respect to their relationship with God. And when that happens, their heritage becomes a liability rather than an asset. That was true of many in ancient Israel, and it’s true in the USA today as well.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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