Passage
ESV Romans 2:25 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 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.
Outline
Since Abraham, there have always been two kinds of circumcision, that of the flesh and that of the heart. God has always required a circumcised heart; that is, to be born again. There has always been two kinds of Jews, ethnic or outward Jews, and true Jews who have been born again. After explaining the text, this sermon provides three points of application:
- Becoming a true Jew and being heart circumcised is the equivalent of becoming a Christian.
- Heart circumcision is not something we can perform ourselves. It is a supernatural work of God.
- Genuine praise is not from men but from God.