Romans_2
Scripture
Romans 2:28-29
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 which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
Observation - What does it say?
This letter, written from Paul to the Romans, was written during a missionary journey. Paul had yet to visit Rome and was writing out some of the basic principles of our faith in Jesus. In chapter two, Paul highlights the fact that we are saved by grace through faith. Our redemption is not through our actions, or through our heritage, but is a result in living out our faith in the cross of Christ.
Understanding - What does it mean?
I remember being teased a lot as a kid. I got teased about everything, I was too tall, to skinny, my teeth were to big, and my shoes the wrong kind. The kids I went to school with were pretty brutal in their slander. It seemed as though I could never fit in with the right crowd. My social grace came when I found the sport of running. When you run, it doesn’t matter what you look like, or how tall you are, the only thing that matters is putting one foot in front of the other as fast as you can. Running is an equal opportunity for everyone to suffer.
One of the things I love about this section of scripture is how faith in Jesus is described as being completely inclusive. It doesn’t matter where you were born, what school you went to, whether or not you own a pair of Nike shoes, the only thing that matters is whether or not you surrendered your life to Jesus. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Jesus’ death on the cross is the equal opportunity for everyone to find peace.
Paul also wrote later in Romans that we are all sinners and not worthy of experiencing God’s glory (3:23). In God’s economy I am no different than anyone. I am no more deserving of grace than drug addicts, or thieves, or people who are sexually impure. We are all the same once covered with the grace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Life Application