Romans 2:17-29 Believers honour God by living in the truth both in public and in private
Romans 2:17-29 Believers honour God by living in the truth both in public and in private
17 But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, 18 and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of the immature, having in the Law the embodiment of knowledge and of the truth, 21 you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written. 25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Background
In this passage, Paul asks the question: What is the mark of a true believer? Is he one who is baptised? Is he one who has the right doctrine to salvation? Is he one who has the appearance of spirituality? Paul turns his focus towards the Jews who profess to be the people of God but have become a dishonour to Him and a hindrance to evangelism. In today’s devotion, Paul turns his focus towards modern day Christians by asking the very same questions. In today’s devotion, we learn what it means to honour God by living according to the truth in public and in private.
Observation
But if you bear the name “Jew” and rely upon the Law and boast in God, and know His will and approve the things that are essential, being instructed out of the Law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind… You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?
The ancient Jews are proud having possessed the revelations of God and the way to eternal life. They are a proud people because they are partakers of Abraham’s covenant and considered as children of God. However, the Jews are guilty of breaking the very laws that they take pride in; their privilege (of possessing the Law and the covenant) turns out as a shame. They suppose having possessed the Law and the covenant will shield them from God’s judgment. Paul exposes some of the sins that the Jews are committing: they are envious and stole from others; they are unfaithful to their spouses; they do not fear God and commit sacrilege by robbing the temple.
For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
If one is repentant and have committed himself to live out the precepts of the Law: if you practice the Law, then circumcision is of value as it his outward sign (of circumcision) of an inward reality. The word “practice the Law” also means being committed to live according the Law. But if one who is circumcised continues to transgress the Law, then the purpose of circumcision is nullified: your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Many Jews are circumcised on the 8th day from their birth and they carry the permanent mark of circumcision without giving serious thought to its significance.
What is circumcision? The covenant of circumcision for the people of Israel is first given to Abraham by God in Genesis 17. The covenant requires all male descendants of Abraham to be circumcised as a sign of God’s Fatherhood over them. God chose Abraham to build a holy people when He appeared to him in Genesis 12 commanding him to go to the land that He would show him. Because Abraham obeyed God, God considered Abraham as his own and predestined him for perfection (righteousness). Hence, circumcision is the mark of one who is a member of a people under God, a descendant of Abraham. Circumcision is a sign of God’s covenantal protection and provision over Abraham and his descendants. It is also a sign of Abraham and his descendant’s commitment to walk in God’s laws.
So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?
The “uncircumcised man” refers to a person who is not a Jew. If (hypothetically speaking) a man who has no knowledge of the Law, but he lives according to the requirements of the Law, which is to honour God and love others, then he would be considered by God as a member of His covenantal community. “Keeping the requirement of the Law” does not entail a perfect fulfillment of the ethical demands of the Law, it simply means a sincere commitment to submit oneself under God and to do His will.
And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law.
Paul continues from his earlier point that a person who is not a Jew (having no knowledge of the Law and being uncircumcised), but by virtue of his love for others and his fear of God is accepted before Him. The rest of Paul’s statement: will he not judge you… implies that the Gentiles because they are more righteous than the Jews have qualified themselves to rule over the Jews.
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 that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
God does not judge a person according to his outward appearance; referring to the mark of circumcision, his religious heritage, knowledge or devotion to religious way of life but the inner posture of the heart. Therefore, the purpose of circumcision (by the letter), is not to justify him as God’s child, but to remind the Jew of his covenant with God so that he may live according to that covenant. Circumcision by the letter, which is an external mark on the flesh must be matched by circumcision in the spirit resulting in the regeneration of the heart. In other words, what is a reality on the outside must be reflected on the inside. Nevertheless, physical circumcision also functions as an outward identity to unite a holy people that God has set apart to serve Him. Ultimately, what is important to God is the posture of the heart and the works that flow from it.
Truth
Believers honour God by living according to the truth in both public and in private.
The most effective way to honour God is to live our lives as Christ lives in public and in private. The apostle Paul rebuked the Jews, “You who boast in the Law, through your breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?” In living according to the truth, we allow others to see who God really is, so that they may honour Him. If we live contrary to God’s values, we dishonour Him. That said, God’s name may be dishonoured by the behaviour of a few, but people can still recognise a true follower of Christ.
How do we bring honour to God? By putting the interests of others before our own. To be fair and principled in all our dealings. To be faithful to our spouse and to our friends. To be true to the promises that we have made and deliver on them. To lift up the weak and fend for those who could not fend for themselves. To be careful to speak what is constructive and to cover the failings of others. To be contented and not to covet the belongings of others.
Many suppose by their conformance to church culture and norms think they are honouring God. By posting their religious achievements and testimonies on social media, they desire to be regarded as models of godliness. However, God is not impressed by achievements, but rather the reasons why we do them. One who serves in secret, out of pure intent while expecting nothing in return honours God. And so is the one who does what he teaches. The fact is, many served in order to be seen and honoured.
Baptism reinforces unity among members of God’s family, and our commitment to live as Christ lives.
Baptism, for the believer reinforces his identity as a member of the universal church and family of God. Circumcision does for the Jews what baptism does for the Gentiles (non-Jews). Circumcision marks the biological descendants of Abraham making them supposed beneficiaries of the Old Covenant. It reinforces unity and mutual support among the Jews.
Likewise, baptism marks all who put their faith in Jesus making them apparent beneficiaries of the New Covenant. Baptism reminds believers to live out the inner virtues, wisdom and authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus, when He was baptised by John was baptised by the Holy Spirit who descended upon Him in a form of a dove. Baptism also reinforces unity in the church. It encourages mutual support in the kingdom lifestyle of love and the vision to evangelise the world.
That said, baptism does not shield the believer from God’s judgment. For one who does not live according to values of Christ, his baptism has become “unbaptism”.
We must respect the non-believers in our midst who exhibit the values of God in their lives.
Paul in saying, “So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?” emphasises that only a regeneration of heart will lead to true behavioural change. Paul implies that if an uncircumcised man, though he has no knowledge of the scriptures but lives by the truth, will he not be considered a follower of the scriptures? Therefore, Christians must not be shallow in evaluating a person by his religious affiliation and appearance. When God evaluates, He sets aside a person’s religious affiliation, and considers his motives and what he does especially in private.
Having said, all truth seekers regardless of their religious convictions gravitate towards one another. To illustrate, one who values honour and integrity will want to associate with someone who is constructive and edifying. Likewise, a gossiper seeks out disgruntled people who have something to complain about. It will do well for believers who desires to evangelise to first examine their own lives. By the believer’s lifestyle of integrity and love, he builds bridges into the lives of truth seekers. These bridges serve as opportunities for the grace and the miracles of God. Because of the trust that comes through these bridges, many will not hesitate to call upon Jesus at the time of need.
A truth seeker who endeavours to live according to his good conscience will eventually come to know Christ and acknowledge Him as the Lord. The message of the gospel cannot be divorced from the messenger’s lifestyle.
Reference to Jesus’s teachings
Jesus said, “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” John 10:16
In the above passage, Jesus says that the Jews are rejecting Him and that He has other sheep which are not of this fold. Jesus is in fact referring to the Gentiles who are considered by the Jews as uncircumcised, immoral and not worthy of salvation. However, Jesus is reaching out to truth seekers who is ready to repent and accept Jesus as Saviour and Lord of their lives.
Applications
Try to recall your purpose and motivation at the time when you are baptised? As you bear the mark of the new life through baptism, endeavour to live out the new life by forgiving those who hurt you. By putting the interests of your company, church and family before your own, you are truly considered as a citizen of heaven, the dwelling place of God’s Spirit.
Revisit the way you discern and evaluate people. God does not judge people according to their religious affiliations but according to the inclinations of their heart. Today, God is actively seeking out muslims, buddhists, and hindus by appearing them and by connecting them with His people. Ask God to reveal to you who among your friends and colleagues He is actively reaching out to. In so doing, you become God’s ambassador at your neighbourhood and place of work.
Dear Lord, I desire to honour you by doing what is right both in public and in private. Change my heart and create a righteous spirit within me. As I desire to be the face of Christ to world, reveal to me who you are reaching out to. Use me as your ambassador to bring many into your kingdom. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.