[Editor’s Note: This is part of a devotional series through the book of Romans.]
Romans 2:25–29
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.
Among the many temptations a pastor faces is the temptation to find our identity in our ministry. More specifically, the applause of the people we serve. The siren song of flattery is ever in our ears as we preach and teach and care for God’s people. The devil loves to stir up this fleshly desire, this passion of the flesh, for man’s approval: “Did they like your sermon?” “How many people were in your Sunday School class?” “Look at all those requests for lunch or coffee. Wow, people really like you.” For now. But what about when they don’t? What happens when the warm embrace of particular church members becomes the cold distance of disappointment with you because they realize in time what you’ve always known—you’re not perfect?
Paul in this text is riveting our attention on what makes us one of God’s people. And it’s not anything “outward” or “physical” (v. 28). Indeed, membership in God’s family is a “matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” (v. 29; see also, 2 Corinthians 3:4–6). In Christ, we have the promise of the New Covenant of Ezekiel 36:26–27 fulfilled:
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (cf., Jeremiah 31:31–34; Luke 22:19–20).
What does this have to do with our identity and ministry? Everything. When we realize that in Christ we are given a new heart and are part of God’s family—among his privileged people to experience his favor forever—we can be free from the “flatterer’s net” (Proverbs 29:5). When we know that in Christ our “praise is not from man but from God” (v. 29; see, also, the astounding declaration of Zephaniah 3:14–20), we are liberated to love people not as a means to an end (e.g., the end of our fleshly pride or esteem), but for the glory of God and their eternal good as the blood bought people they are in Christ (Acts 20:28).
Heavenly Father,
What a gift to know that our praise is from you. What a liberating reality as we strive to shepherd your people not to us, but to you. Help us this day to hear your song over us in Christ—a melody more to be desired than life itself.
To the praise of your glorious grace, Amen.