Romans 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Surely this was a confusing statement to Paul’s Jewish readers who were not trusting in Jesus. Their understanding was that if a man was a circumcised descendent of Abraham, then he was a Jew. He introduced a new thought for them. What one does outwardly in the flesh to identify with a particular religion or with God has no value against fleshly indulgence. If they break the Law, which is an indulgence of the flesh, then what good or what value is being circumcised or bearing the sign in the flesh of belonging to God? We might say the same thing about those who do outward things to identify with God such as going to church, having Bible knowledge, wearing a head-covering or neckless with a cross, or bearing a tattoo with John 3:16. What matters isn’t what we do in the flesh to signify to others that we belong to God.
What does matter? Who is a Jew in God’s eyes? It’s an inward matter of the heart. The true sign of belonging to God, wrote Paul, is the circumcising work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. Paul will say more about this work of the Spirit in his letter. For today, take heart and know that living to love with God is evidence that your heart has been circumcised by the Holy Spirit. At the cross, God cut away all of the efforts of the flesh which fall short of God’s righteousness. Then, when you heard the gospel and believed in Jesus, the Holy Spirit applied that circumcision to your heart. He set you apart for Himself so He could love through you and thus fulfill God’s Law. Let’s rejoice! God will praise you because in praising you He is praising His Son, who has accomplished the work on your behalf and through your life.
Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com
