Twin City church of Christ Blog
“July 18, 2024 - Circumcision of the Heart”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsCircumcision of the Heart
Reading: Romans 2:25-29
Paul’s words here were likely revolutionary and controversial to many of his Jewish readers, despite the fact that they have clear Old Testament precedent. Having challenged the Jews to live by the Law they teach others, he goes a step farther. “For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision”(Rom 2:25). Circumcision does not make up for sin and disobedience; in fact, it is intended to signal our desire to obey God (Gen 17:1-2). Meanwhile, what about the opposite combination, the righteous Gentile? “So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law”(Rom 2:26-27). This man’s lack of circumcision will not overrule his obedience to God; he will instead condemn the Jew who disobeys.
What should we conclude from this? “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not the letter. His praise is not from man but from God”(Rom 2:28-29). Jewishness—the deep connection between God and his people—is not merely a matter of birth or cutting the flesh. Following God is a heart matter. This is a truth God spoke to Israel repeatedly (Lev 26:41; Deut 10:16, 30:6; Jer 4:4; Acts 7:51). When our hearts are given over fully to obeying God, we become part of God’s people—whatever nation we hail from.
True devotion to God is an inward matter in which we turn our hearts toward obedience and surrender our lives to him. We do not rely on our parentage or the faith of others for our standing before God. We refuse to be stubborn any longer. We seek to please him rather than ourselves. We then are circumcised as “a matter of the heart,” a part of God’s new covenant and people.
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One Thing to Think About: What is the posture of my heart toward God?
One Thing to Pray For: The praise of God, not man
