Romans 2 

“But if you bear the name ‘Jew’, and rely upon the Law, and boast in God, and know His will … do you dishonor God?” (v17-24).  All humans are “without excuse” (v1).  Paul’s fellow Jews didn’t want to be called “sinners in need of salvation”, because they knew the Law and felt superior to ignorant Gentiles.  But Paul said that knowing the Law wasn’t enough (v13).  Being part of the “right group” isn’t enough.  Underneath our knowledge and labels, we are all sinners in need of salvation.

Knowledge can’t save us; we each need to receive, by faith, “the power of God for salvation” (1:16).