IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

The True Jews

Date: Jul. 30, 2019

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.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 2:29

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.

1. Teach the Bible to yourself (17-24)

Paul reveals the sin of the Jews (or nominal Christians). They boast of superiority over non-believers for knowing God's Word and teaching the Bible. But knowing and teaching are different from living according to the law. So God's name is more blasphemed among the Gentiles because of nominal Sunday Christians' hypocritical and double life. The true Jew (true Christian) studies the Bible sincerely, seeks to obey the word repenting of double life, and teaches himself first before teaching others. They glorify God and save others.

2. Circumcise your heart (25-29)

Circumcision was an act of obedience to live as a covenant people. But it became a ritual. True circumcision is inward. It requires cutting one's heart to live as a covenant people as a life or death matter. It means to deny one's physical desires to live as the Word commands. The true Jew (Christian) not only goes to church (outwardly), but lives a life of following Jesus, circumcising the heart (repenting) and living by the Spirit.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, make me a true Jew by living according to the word, circumcising my heart inwardly and cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

One Word: Obey the word, circumcise my heart!

Daily Bread

God’s Judgement of His People

Hosea 5:1-15

Key Verse: 5:15

  I will return again to my place,
    until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,
    and in their distress earnestly seek me.

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