Devotion #3: Out of the Heart
“For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 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. 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 by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:25-29
At first glance, Romans 2:25-29 might be a passage you want to speed read through. It may cause you to question how reading about being circumcised or uncircumcised can speak to us today. It is important to not just assume this section has nothing to do with us and skip it.
At the core, Paul is addressing that it is not an outward expression that identifies us as being saved. The list of good things we can do as Christians in and of themselves does not save us! In many well-intended Christian circles, people have used church attendance, clothing, tattoos, or hairstyles (just to name a few things) to draw a conclusion regarding whether someone may truly know Jesus or not. Now, many of these things are not bad and may flow out of a heart of knowing who Jesus is and striving to live for Him, but that does not make good things a checklist for having a true relationship with Jesus.
A genuine relationship with Christ is more than just doing or saying good things. One reminder Paul gave to the Jews that is important for us to remember is that true change has to be inward, from the heart. Luke 6:45 reminds us, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” This heart change does not come by our own effort or collection of good deeds. This heart change, as Paul says, is by the Spirit. The only one capable of changing a heart, of bringing us change, is Jesus Christ.
The emphasis Paul gives here is that no amount of doing good is capable of bringing the true change that we all need. Paul desired the Jews to recognize that the good they thought they were doing which they believed saved them, did not. Paul closes with the reminder that the praise we seek is not from man but from God. I would encourage you to pray today that God will align your heart with seeking Him and not praise from others.