THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS ABOUT INWARD CHANGES MANIFESTED OUTWARDLY FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

SCRIPTURE:

“As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.  28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.”  (Romans 2:24—29)

OBSERVATION:

            The apostle Paul addresses the issue of living a double standard life among those who call themselves Jews.  Those Jews during this time pride themselves as circumcised and keeping the law to have an appearance that seems to honor God yet live a double standard life.  There is a contradiction in the way they live.  Just because they were circumcised, they thought they had a special favor with God and, thus, did not need to keep the law. 

            Yet there are those who are not circumcised physically and yet keep the law, will condemned them for the double standard.  Paul’s point makes sense as he confronted the attitude of those who think they are more righteous because they keep the law.  Circumcision only has value if a person observes the law.

            Just because someone went through the outward cutting of the flesh does not mean there is a change going on inside that person’s heart.  This is what a reflection of a true Christian life must be like.  We ought to be people who do not just have a change on the outside for people to see, but someone who is circumcised or changed from the inside by the work of the Spirit of God. 

            In the Jewish tradition, circumcision is an outward manifestation of the inward change in someone’s heart who has a relationship with God. However, just because someone cuts the flesh does not indicate that there is a change going on in that person’s heart.  Likewise, baptism and all other traditions of our Christian faith have no value unless there is a true circumcision by the Spirit in our hearts and not us following some Christian code to live the Christian life. 

            The Spirit of God must circumcise our hearts so we may live to please our Heavenly Father.  True circumcision is when the Holy Spirit starts to cut away the fleshly desires of my heart and make me a person worthy of living for Jesus.  To echo Paul’s words, A person is not a Christian who is one outwardly, nor circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a person is a Christian who is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart by the Spirit, and by a written code or law.  A person who is circumcised in the heart will be praised by God and not by those who see only the outward manifestation of the code they live by. 

            We as believers do not follow the code of the law but by the leading of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will lead us to live out the life of Christ among others so they, too, may see Christ in us.  The Christian must watch how one lives before a condemning world so the name of God will not be dragged into the mud and blasphemed because of our ignorance and stupidity. 

APPLICATION:

            I must watch how I live my life in the Spirit.  I am powerless to live life under the written code to follow exactly what it demands.  Today, I need to draw closer to the Holy Spirit and let him lead me to live a life that honors God in my conduct.  I want to live to please God and to bring glory to his name by watching how I live among many non-believers so they may see the goodness of my God. 

PRAYER:

            Jesus, I ask that you will lead and guide me to live a life that honors and glorifies your name.  Please forgive me for times I live the life that dishonors you.  I ask that you guide me to live an honorable life before others so they my gloriy your name.  Please help me to be a child who does not only live as a Christian, but a Christian whose heart has been circumcised by your Spirit.  In your name I pray, Amen!