When Abraham was 99, El Shaddai entered into a covenant relationship with him. The Lord said that He would
make Abraham the father of many nations
make him exceedingly fruitful
make nations and kings of Abraham's descendants
give them the land that we now call Israel
and He would be their God. (Genesis 17:1-8)
Over time, circumcision became more than a sign of this covenant; it became the covenant itself. (Genesis 17:9-14) Some Jews became complacent and believed that circumcision alone placed them in a right standing with the Lord. They were not interested in cultivating their relationship with the Lord. They were overly confident in the physical act of circumcision.
But Paul is saying that circumcision is of value if you practice the Law, but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. (Romans 2:25) It is powerless if it is not accompanied by a sincere commitment to be doers of the word and not hearers only.
Let’s modernize that. Our church attendance, singing in the choir, paying our tithes, serving in the youth ministry or on the elder board is completely powerless if it is not accompanied by a sincere commitment to be doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving ourselves.
Why? Because these acts are not a substitute for an authentic, saving relationship with the Lord. Instead, they are what people who have a relationship with the Lord do. They are a symbol. A sign of a commitment that we have made with the Lord. But not the commitment itself.
A genuine commitment takes place in our hearts. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God. (Romans 2:28-29)
The cleansing of our hearts makes us powerful men and women of God. The cleansing of
that sin that has us bound.
our illicit thoughts.
our rebellious and selfish ways.
our doubts and fears.
our theological questions.
any false teachings.
our emotional wounds.
of anything hindering us from having an authentic relationship with the Lord.
Did you notice the identity of the cleanser in verse 29? The Holy Spirit!!! Not our will. Not our compliance to the letter of the law. The law is the schoolmaster that reveals our sins unto us. It shows us where we have fallen short of God's standard. (Galatians 2:24) But the Law does not cleanse us. That’s the work of the Holy Spirit.
But here is the thing: we gotta let Him do His job. Will it hurt sometimes? Yes. Will it require us to drop some pride? Yes. Will it require us to make some sacrifices? Yes. Will it require us to look at life from a different perspective? Yes. But it is worth it. That’s where the healing, deliverance, and growth take place.
And just as important, that’s how God gets the glory. Not from the modern-day circumcision of church attendance, service, or giving. But from the work He does in us and through us. That’s what attracts our unsaved and unchurched family, friends, and coworkers. Our circumcised hearts.