Romans 2:25-29

                                                             Romans 2:25-29

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.

 

A principle that is fundamental to pleasing God is that He cares about what is on the inside much more than He cares about the outside.  It is not that the outside is unimportant.  It is that the inside is what truly counts.  There are no rituals or symbols that will make up for a rebellious heart.  The differences between the external and the internal are important to remember and are clearly seen by God.

 

EXTERNAL SIGNS ARE SYMBOLS OF INTERNAL REALITIES: Circumcision was to be a sign of holiness for the Jewish nation.  The outward symbol was to encourage an internal reality.  The external sign was an act of obedience for the Jew, but it was meant to encourage obedience in every area of life.  Unfortunately, there were many who simply trusted the external sign and lived in rebellion against God in their attitudes and actions.  Those who were not circumcised but lived in a way that was pleasing to God were the ones who fulfilled the intent behind circumcision.

 

INTERNAL REALITIES ARE SUPERIOR TO EXTERNAL SIGNS: When those who are not circumcised live in a way that was supposed to be encouraged through circumcision; they serve a means of judging the circumcised that were disobedient.  God is not pleased with external rituals that do not reflect internal realities. However, the internal realities are pleasing to God even if the external sign of circumcision is not present.  It is far more important to have the right attitudes and actions than it is to perform religious rituals.

 

APPLICATION: Make sure that any rituals we do encourage the attitudes and actions God desires in us.  Be careful not to place trust in symbols or rituals that do not correspond to our heart.  Examine our lives to make sure that we are being consistent on the inside with the image we portray on the outside.

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