Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God, And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law. Romans 2:17-20

Why is the gospel message so offensive to the world? The word gospel means “good news” so why doesn’t the world see it as good news? The reason is most of the world doesn’t see itself as a sinner, in fact most people think they are good people deserving all the blessings from God. However as Gods Law (The Ten Commandments) has revealed, we are all sinners in need of a Savior

The Jewish people believed this lie also, they believed because they were children of Abraham, they were already righteous. Jesus said to them “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) What was their response “We are Abrahams descendants, and never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say we will be made free?” (John 8:33) Jesus revealed everyone who sins is a slave to sin, including the Jewish people. However even though they were the experts at the Law of God, they didn’t consider themselves to be sinners

This is what the Apostle Paul is saying “Indeed you are a Jew and rest in the law, and make your boast in God” The Jews were given the Law through Moses yet they didn’t even believe the Law applied to them because they were Abraham’s descendants. This is the same with us Gentiles, even though we have knowledge of the Law, as Paul addressed previously, we still sin and disregard the Law. 

Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. Romans 2:21-24

The Apostle Paul, who was a Pharisee himself, points out their hypocrisy. The Jews teach the Law, yet they themselves continually break the Law, which is dishonouring to God. The reality is nobody can keep the Law (Galatians 3:11) The Law reveals that we are all sinners, in need of a Savior, Jew and Gentile. (Romans 3:20) As Jesus said “Nobody is good (morally excellent) except God alone” (Mark 10:18)

Your righteousness comes through faith in  Christ not yourself (Romans 3:22) This is why the gospel is so offensive to the world, this is why the entire world needs to repent and put their faith in The Lord Jesus Christ for salvation (Mark 1:15) Amen