February 8, 2018

A Matter of the Heart

Romans 2:25–29

Sheetal Agrawal
Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2018

Thursday's Devo

February 8, 2018

Central Truth

Sometimes we're stuck doing things for so long that we forget the reason we started doing them. This can be especially true in our relationship with Jesus. Our obedience must come from an overflow of our love for God, and that only happens when we understand His love for us.

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 1 2:26 Or counted as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically 2 2:27 Or is by nature uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code 3 2:27 Or the letter 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.

Footnotes

[1] 2:26 Or counted
[2] 2:27 Or is by nature
[3] 2:27 Or the letter

Dive Deeper | Romans 2:25–29

Read Bible, go to church, tithe, serve, eat at Chick-fil-A, watch Fixer Upper.

Check.

Sometimes, it feels like we’ve figured out what it looks like to follow Jesus, right? Well, so did these Jews whom Paul was addressing.

Add to my list: looking up circumcision references in the Bible.

Let’s start there—circumcision was given to the Jews as a way for God to mark His people. The Jews were caught up in this act. They were stuck in a tradition they'd been doing for so long that they completely forgot what the point was and why God gave them this command (Genesis 17:10-14). Circumcision was an external symbol God used to mark His people—it was meant to point to something much greater.

The Jews were in this mindset that if they externally “performed” and were physically circumcised, they would be accepted by God.

Paul explains in verses 28-29 that circumcision of the heart (internal transformation) is what matters to God. God cares about spiritual transformation (loving God with your heart). Out of spiritual transformation comes obedience. But these Jews boasted only in outward appearances.

Sometimes, we get caught up in our actions and making sure we are looking like Christians that we forget to love God. Last year, I really struggled with this idea. Over the last few years, I felt like I was just a player in God's game. I kept my head down, listened to my “Coach,” and performed work for Him. I felt like if I kept living that way, God would be pleased. But then my world turned upside down, and it felt like I tore my spiritual ACL. My Coach took me out of the game for some much-needed spiritual healing and training.

Sometimes, God has to knock us out of our “traditions” and “Christian-isms” to remind us that the point of our faith is to love Him first. I was stuck in a cycle of “working for God,” and I forgot God’s love and acceptance of me isn't dependent on my works (Isaiah 64:6) but His alone.

This month's memory verse

Life in the Spirit

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

– Romans 8:1

Discussion Questions

1. Is there something you've been stuck doing for years that God might be calling you out of and into something else? This may not be a religious tradition, but could also be a job or a new opportunity to trust Him.

2. When was the last time you were uncomfortable because of your faith? The Jews were comfortable in how they were living; have you become comfortable in your faith?

3. Looking at the past seven days, how did you prioritize your time with Jesus? How much time did you spend talking to Him in prayer and abiding with Him in His Word, allowing for continual spiritual transformation?