Outward Or Inward?

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 of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. 

Romans 2:28-29 

Paul is levelling the field. As he continues to lay the foundation for his presentation of Christ, he sets his sights on the religiously self-righteous. Most specifically, he addresses the scrupulously religious Jews who despise the rampantly immoral Gentiles. He charges them with blatant hypocrisy. He writes, “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, do not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, as it is written.” Our text is his summary statement. In it, he sets true spirituality against mere outward formalism. He marks the difference between genuine spirituality and hypocrisy. He must be so bold and direct lest the religionists excuse themselves and continue in their self-righteousness. It is good for all of us to read the second chapter in its’ entirety. It acts as a check on our own view of ourselves and of how we view others. It is a sufficiently strong indictment that it gives us pause to see if we are genuinely spiritual or merely participating in formalities. Most of all it should lay the groundwork in our hearts for magnifying Christ. Self-examination is a means to an end. It is not an end in itself. Every message from God should point us to Christ. This is where Paul is going. He is preparing everyone for the coming of the Great God and our Savior.  

Our Great and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that You do not permit us to continue in our sin. 
We praise You that You show us our sin 
and bring us to Christ. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning