In clear distinction to modernism and postmodernism, the Bible teaches that truth is objective, unchanging, and valuable. Knowing and obeying the truth is essential to your spiritual life (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Peter 1:22; Hebrews 10:26).
Satan is the father of lies, falsehoods, and misconceptions (John 8:44; 1 Timothy 4:1). He thrives on error.
Throughout the book of Romans, the apostle Paul addresses and corrects falsehoods and misconceptions. This is one of the many ways the Scriptures forcefully affirm the importance of truth. Misconceptions matter. False doctrine is not insignificant.
In Romans 2:17-29, Paul addresses an apparent misconception held by many Jews. They had the erroneous belief that being a circumcised descendant of Abraham exempted them from divine condemnation. (John the Baptist addressed this same mindset in his preaching—see Matthew 3:7-12.) It was the Jewish version of once-saved-always-saved.
The Jews’ misconception (like its present-day denominational counterpart) is false. Paul’s actions in the presence of this fact is most instructive: He neither ignored it nor agreed to disagree on the matter. Instead, he confronted it and stated the truth in a straightforward manner—God requires a circumcised heart and an obedient, righteous life.
