Romans 2 - The Circumcision of the Heart!
God’s Righteous Judgment
2 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Paul continues the logic from chapter 2 where we all stand condemned before a holy and righteous God. Since we are all equally guilty, when we judge someone else it as if we are judging ourselves. Paul warns us to be careful when we judge, because the same standard will be applied to us. Solution: Don't judge anyone. Let God do it.
The bottom line is God has forgiven us so great a debt that we should be filled with grace and mercy toward others. It is God's grace that leads us to repentance, which is the only thing which can change a human heart. Most people know what they are doing wrong and at some level would like to stop doing it. They just need the power from God and a willingness to humble themselves and receive His grace and mercy.
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
It might seem as though Paul is a teaching a form of works righteousness here. I.e. God will repay each one according to what they have done. But if you read the rest of Romans it is clear this would never be the case. So what is Paul saying here and why?
Paul is setting the table for what he will teach from here on out. If someone could persist and do good every time, he could justify himself before God. But we know this is not the case.
If someone genuinely did good at all times, he could merit eternal life of his own accord – but there is none, because all, in some way or another are, have been, or will be self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness. - Guzik
Importantly this cuts across ethnic lines. The major one in Jesus' day being Jews and Gentiles. Both Jews and Gentiles will be judged alike. If not for Christ, they would all be judged for their deeds both good and bad. This was radical in Paul's day, because the Jews thought the Gentiles were by nature unholy and unclean. But Paul rectifies this error by concluding, "God does not show favoritism".
12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
Though the Gentiles were not given the Law, they were still judged by it, because it is God's Law which never changes. The Jews were given the Law, and they are judged by it as well. Just having or not having the law is not what counts but doing what it says. Even if a Gentile obeyed the law because it is written on their hearts, they show it to be true. So you see having the law or not having the law is not what counts in God's eyes, but obeying it. Someone may look like they are obeying the law on the outside, but only God knows the secret thoughts and motivations of a person's heart.
On judgment day (the day when Jesus returns) both Jews and Gentiles will be judged by the same law. As chapter 1 said, "All people are without excuse because what can be known about God is made clear in His creation." Every human has an innate sense of right and wrong, because they are born in God's image and have a conscience.
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
Jesus rebukes the Jews who think because they have the law that they are superior. But no matter how qualified they think they are to teach others from their overflowing reservoir of knowledge, if they are not doing what they teach, they are blind guides. The problem with this is that since they claim and boast about having the law, and then don't do it, it causes God's Name to be maligned and blasphemed. It would be better for them to not say anything at all then to claim to be God's chosen ones and then not act like it.
This is a great reminder for us in the church. When we start thinking we are "holier than thou", or we are "better than our non-Christian friends", and our behavior doesn't reflect Jesus, it would be better if we had not said anything at all. Before we go public with our faith, we better make sure our lifestyle and behaviors align with the Jesus' way of life. Not that we are perfect, we will never will be. But, we are called to live our lives in such a way that the world will see our works and glorify our Father in heaven.
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[c] 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.
Paul brings up the practice of circumcision in a very similar way. Circumcision marked Jewish males as children of God and set them apart from the world for him. Being "set apart" was shown by living according to the Law. Using a similar logic, when a circumcised person does not keep the law, their circumcision counts for nothing. If someone is uncircumcised and keeps the law it is as though they were the one circumcised.
Paul then makes a very important statement that would have had major implications for any Jewish person listening. Paul told them being physically circumcised is not what makes them Jewish, though it doesn't disqualify them either. The true circumcision is the circumcision of the heart. The circumcision of the heart can only come from the Holy Spirit.
I think you could use Paul's line of thinking with baptism as well. Baptism by itself with water is not what saves someone but through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The outside with the washing of one's body with water does nothing, but when one is baptized by the Holy Spirit it begins a transformation process from the inside out. God commands us to baptize and be baptized not just with water, but also with the Spirit. Baptism as such is a way of life.
Have you had a "circumcision of the heart"? A person could be baptized, go to church, be a member, and even give money and do good works, but is this coming from their heart? Are they looking to get praise and acceptance from people or from God?
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