Romans 2:25-29

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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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:14

Hello, this is Dr. Bill Branks, author of Love the Word. Our text today is Romans 2, verses 25-29. For circumcision indeed is a 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 a 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. Since 1940, Highlights magazine has featured a comic strip called Goffus and Gallant. The strip shows two panels illustrating the different actions of two children, Gophus and Gallant. Gallant consistently displays kind and respectful behavior, while Goffus is often rude and selfish. They're shown side by side with a brief caption such as Gophus turns on the television when there are guests. Whenever guests arrive, Gallant turns off the television at once. For many years, the comic included a short line of text at the bottom saying, Gallant shows correct behavior. I remember reading it as a young boy and always hoping I didn't do what Gophus did. The Apostle Paul illustrates two men who remind me of a New Testament Gophus and Gallant. Paul continues to criticize the hypocritical Jews who see themselves as righteous based on their outward actions, even if those actions are flawed. In today's passage, he begins his argument by describing two men. The first, likely representing Gentiles, follows the law but has not been circumcised nor possesses the written law. The second, representing the Jews, has the written law, or code, has been circumcised according to Jewish tradition, yet is guilty of breaking the law himself. Gallant then condemns Gophus for being unrighteous, because even though he possesses the law and is circumcised, he clearly violates it in the most contemptible ways. See Romans 2 verses 21 to 24. Both of these fellas have a problem. Paul explains in verses 25 to 26 that keeping some laws is not the same as keeping all of them, which is required to earn salvation. If you keep some but break one, you have broken them all, and keeping some laws does not unbreak the ones you have broken. So gallant may have the advantage in this illustration, but neither has kept the law perfectly, both lack what is needed, and could obtain it only through the blood of Christ. What we need is a circumcised heart. Initially, circumcision was performed to symbolically prevent the transmission of original sin from one generation to the next. In the Bible, circumcision begins as a vital, everlasting covenant sign between God and Abraham's descendants, Genesis 17. Historically, the practice was not exclusive to Jews, but over time, it became a symbol of Judaism and a requirement for Jews. In New Testament theology, Paul's focus shifts from the outward act to inner transformation. The Judaizers clung to circumcision as a means of works-based salvation. It was a human effort to fulfill the law. However, the law was given to reveal sinfulness, not excuse it. Christ's work on the cross has everything to do with who we are, not what we do. We must move away from works as a way to achieve righteousness and instead pursue a circumcised heart as a sign of redemption. It's about renewal over ritual, transition over tradition. We can't help it. We want our good deeds and obedience to count for something. They do, but they have no redeeming value on their own. Paul is talking about a new, sinless, redeemed heart when he writes, Circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. Salvation is inward change, not outward appearances. True good works come only from a heart that has undergone major surgery, Ezekiel 36, verse 26, an overhaul in which sin and guilt are cut away. Only the Spirit can make this happen. Colossians 2, verse 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. In contrast, Luke writes in Acts 7, verse 51, You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Our primary call is for a heart transplant, being freed from the bondage of sin, cleansed of our sinfulness, and renewed to live by the Spirit rather than outward flesh. Romans 8, verse 13 says, For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Focus on where you direct your efforts. Do you concentrate too much on outward practices and appearances rather than on your heart, which needs constant examination and renewal through the power of Christ. Putting your old sinful flesh to death is a daily practice of discipline, repentance, and self examination.