A Matter of the Heart

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

A Matter of the Heart

Date: Feb. 26, 2015

Passage

Romans 2:17-29 (ESV)

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 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.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:29a

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.

First, foolish boasting (17-24). No doubt, there were Jews among the believers in Rome who still put their confidence in their traditions. Paul stingingly rebukes them, saying: "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew..." God blessed the Jews by giving them the Law and establishing His covenant with them. By all means, the Law is the embodiment of knowledge and truth. But having the Law is very different from obeying the Law! Their pride and sense of self-righteousness swelled as they presumed to be guides and teachers for others. But did they follow their own teaching themselves? No! Their boasting in the law was a chronic case of self-deception. Instead of pleasing God, they dishonored Him.

Second, the true Jew (25-29). Circumcision was given to the Jews as a sign of their covenant with God. But because of their disobedience, they had become as though they were never circumcised. Others who had kept the Law would be regarded as circumcised and even pass condemnation upon the Jews. External signs such as circumcision mean nothing. What matters is having a heart that has been circumcised by the Holy Spirit. Instead of dishonoring God, such a person is praised by God.

Prayer: Lord, give us a heart to obey you completely.

One Word: Honor God with genuine obedience

Devoted to Prayer and the Word

Acts 6:1-15

Key Verse: 6:4

But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Today's Question

What does the introduction to the ten commandments teach us?

See answer and references