David Bahn – Reflections

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.

Seems we have a choice in life: we can live for the momentary pleasure or for the long-term good. Most of us have learned over time that putting off the short-term gain in favor of the long-term pay-off yields a better benefit in the long run. So we save our money in anticipation of a vacation next summer. We work the whole week in anticipation of enjoying a weekend of leisure and recreation.

Somehow, however, the idea of foregoing the praise of man in anticipation of receiving the praise of God is a bit more challenging. We may believe that virtue is its own reward. We may even resist temptation to do wrong in favor of having a clear conscience. But when is the last time you actually thought of receiving the praise of God? I find it hard to imagine such a moment – even though I have some hopes of being vindicated for some actions I have taken over the years simply out of faithfulness toward God and in anticipation of his blessing.

Paul’s argument in these verses is all about faithfulness from the heart as opposed to mere outward obedience. Outward obedience brings a short-term gain. Men and women will express their delight in deeds well done and godly lifestyles. But if we’re obeying only for the praise of man we are  not acting in faith. We have gained a short-term reward. Not only does God see the heart, he rewards those who obey from the heart – no matter what others see from the outside. This is no excuse for outwardly bad behavior in supposed faithfulness to God. God cannot be mocked. But it is a call to have our hearts cut and turn in repentance to God (cf. Acts 2:37-41!).

Max Lucado’s book, The Applause of God, comes to mind. In it he describes that which awaits the faithful on the Great Last Day when we enter into the presence of God:

You’ll be home soon… You may not have noticed it, but you are closer to home than ever before. Before you know it, your appointed arrival time will come… You’ll see faces that are waiting for you. You’ll hear your name spoken by those who love you. And, maybe, just maybe––in the back, behind the crowds––the One who would rather die than live without you will remove his pierced hands from his heavenly robe and . . . applaud (Max Lucado, The Applause of Heaven, [Dallas: Word, 1990], 189-90).

Those who hold to God’s promises in faith may look forward to such a moment. In the mean time we are called to live faithful lives from hearts that have been cut and who turn to Christ for healing.