Be Authentic to Please God!

Romans 2:25–29 (ESV) ²⁵For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. ²⁶So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? ²⁷Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. ²⁸For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. ²⁹But 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.

In this passage Paul is continuing to challenge the Jew or piously religious on not relying on their “good works” to have a relationship with God.  The Jew thought that they simply were blessed by having the law and by being circumcised yet they were not submissive to God from the heart.

In contrast the individual who did obey the law would be considered as a “true Jew” one who was circumcised.  Their obedience in itself would bear light upon the rebellious heart and attitude of the physical Jew.

Paul further reveals that one cannot be a Jew simply by outward or physical actions, but they had to be one inwardly.  They needed to be circumcised of heart by the Spirit of God.

Although the outward Jew may have gotten much attention and applause from his fellow man, his life was not pleasing to God.  It was the one who was inwardly changed of heart that would be truly pleasing to God.  Yet, when these individuals live lives pleasing to God they seldom receive praise from man because their life of light begins to expose the darkness of others.

The man with the circumcised heart is the one who responds to the teaching of God’s Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit by placing their faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ realizing that He is the only satisfactory payment for their sin.  It is this regenerating work of the Holy Spirit that brings to life repentance in the believer and allows an individual to truly please God.