Romans 2:25-29 | God Circumcises Our Hearts

by | Oct 20, 2020

READ Romans 2:25-29

On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart-by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God. (Romans 2:29)

How do we become right with God? Do we need to follow rules to be right with Him? What happens if we break a rule? We know that God is just, hating all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people (Rom. 1:18); He hates any and “all” acts against Him—“big” or “small.” God doesn’t play favorites (v. 11-12), and we’ll soon read in Romans 3 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Jews aren’t exempt from God’s judgment despite receiving His covenant and performing rituals according to Mosaic law. Instead, Paul argues in the last section of Romans 2 that a true Jew is inward and true circumcision is of the heart (v. 29).

Traditionally, Jewish males had to be circumcised to be part of God’s covenant (Gen. 17:9-14). Long before Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, Jesus came to earth as our Messiah, and near the end of His earthly life, He instituted a new covenant (Lk. 22:20). This new covenant replaces the old one (Heb. 8:7,10,13) including all Jewish rituals and sacrifices for God, like circumcision. Jesus, the Lamb of God, paid our debt to God through the ultimate sacrifice: shedding His blood. Circumcision no longer matters. The complete work of Jesus Christ matters more (Gal. 6:12-15).

Years later, Paul wrote to the Roman Jews that by breaking the law, their circumcision becomes uncircumcision (v. 25). Conversely, the uncircumcised, or the Gentiles who keep the law are truly circumcised (v. 26). Therefore, not by our works, nor by the “letter” or law, but only by the Holy Spirit is a person a true Jew inwardly and the heart is circumcised (v. 29). Only God sees us inwardly, so only He can praise us, not people (v. 29). Let’s thank and praise Him for seeing us, circumcising our hearts to be more like Jesus.

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