Romans 2:28-29 (Phillips) I have come to the conclusion that a true Jew is not the man who is merely a Jew outwardly, and a real circumcision is not just a matter of the body. The true Jew is one who belongs to God in heart, a man whose circumcision is not just an outward physical affair but is a God-made sign upon the heart and soul, and results in a life lived not for the approval of man, but for the approval of God.
Romans 12:1-2 (Phillips) With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
Observation
The charge in Romans 2 has not changed and applies to anyone who considers him or herself a child of God today. We can’t be Christian in name only, acting pious in the company of other Christians, but no different than the world around unbelievers. We shame God and make a mockery of the Gospel if we do. Out of the abundance of the heart, each mouth will speak but his/her words must reflect how each one acts. Having our words and deeds match matters. As Jesus warned the pious-only-in-public religious leaders of His time, every careless (false, deceptive) word will come back to haunt you (Matt 12:34-37 MSG).
So, looking good is not good enough. We have to be molded in righteousness by the hand of God Himself. “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within…”. Our actions and words need to flow from a heart and soul handcrafted and fired by God, imprinted with the very fingerprints of God Himself. That inward circumcision, a sign of commitment and belonging to God, needs to be evident in the way we live our lives and be reflected in our deeds, consistently everywhere and always. This includes the transparency and submission of repentance for when we fail, letting our humanity lead us into temptation and sin.
Impact on Me
This openness and submission to living in the safety of His Presence is the true worship Paul was speaking of in Romans 12. The ache of his heart is that we will commit “as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him.” Worship is meant to be 24/7, arising from the assurance of the permanence of my adoption, motivated by my heart of gratitude, not driven by duty, tradition, or what others will think of me. It should not be something I feel I owe but rather a precious gift I recognize that I am privileged and honored to be able to give. True worship will flow from a mind remolded into the mind of Christ.
The King of Kings has His eyes on me (and you). It is almost unfathomable to really embrace that He sees each of us as an individual person, a precious child. I find it hard to fathom that the Creator of the universe would even know my name, much less die for me. He owes me nothing. I am at fault for my predicament, my circumstances. He could have left me unredeemed, but chose to reclaim me. He did the same for you! Those who are circumcised of the heart live a life of true worship, and their circumcision is evident to all.
Devotion
Lord God, Almighty, Omniscient, yet still the Father of Mercy, and our Savior, I offer the gift of my worship. Forgive me for the times I fail, when my fear or pride distracts me from putting Your plan, Your will and purpose, first in my life. I want to walk in the footsteps You place before me, wandering neither to the left or right of Your pathway of righteousness. Keep Your hand on me to draw me back to Your side when I am tempted to stray. I pray this all in Jesus’ name. Make it so.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 