How Much of Our Faith Identity Depends on What We Do?
25For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29But 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.
Romans 2:25–29 (ESV)
In Romans 2:25-29, Paul challenges the notion that external religious markers, like circumcision for the Jews, could bestow righteousness. Originally in Genesis 17:1-14, circumcision was meant to signify a Jew’s entrance into God’s community. However, it had become a source of pride with the complacent assumption that mere external markers could confer righteousness. Paul argues that true faith is not about outward signs, but about inward transformation by the Spirit.
This challenge remains relevant today, for people still identify with a religion based on their upbringing. Even in churches, it’s possible to put faith in membership or participation rather than in Christ. We can paraphrase Paul’s words: “So what if you have been baptized or are a church member? This only counts if there has been a real change in your life, if your heart has been truly affected. A true Christian is one inwardly; what matters is a supernatural work of the Spirit, not a human ritual.“
This “dead orthodoxy” turns the church into a comfort zone for those who only think they are secure in Christ. Different churches address this insecurity in various ways:
- Legalistic churches emphasize conduct and doctrine, reassuring members of their holiness and doctrinal accuracy as opposed to the “liberals.”
- Power churches focus on miracles and emotional experiences, equating great emotion with righteousness.
- Sacerdotal churches highlight rituals and tradition, where the allure of liturgical beauty provides a sense of righteousness.
- Service-gospel churches emphasize social justice and good works, reinforcing the idea that extensive community service and social activism equate to righteousness.
While theological accuracy, moral conscientiousness, faith-filled prayer, and meaningful worship are all good, they can easily become “dead works” – replacements for true reliance on God’s provided righteousness for us in Jesus.
The key question is: Are we trusting in our religious practices or in the transforming power of the gospel? A lack of spiritual vitality in Christians often stems from a misunderstanding of justification – the basis of our acceptance before God.
What matters is not bearing the outward signs of faith, but having the inward reality they signify. As Paul says, it’s better to be an unbaptized believer than a baptized non-believer. True faith is not about being a “Jew outwardly,” but about a “circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit.”
Which religious practices or church involvement typically boost your sense of righteousness? How could you keep yourself anchored or on the grace of God in Christ?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 2:17-29 were drawn from Tim Keller’s book “Romans 1-7 for You“]
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As I’ve mentioned before, when I first became a believer, I began attending the School of Ministry at Calvary Chapel. As a new believer, I began to learn so much about theology and Scripture. I became, as I see now, “puffed up with knowledge.” I learned inductive Bible study, hermeneutics, Greek, biblical counseling, and a wide variety of other subjects pertaining to Christian ministry. The irony is, I learned so much about the Bible, all the while missing the main point of God’s redemptive story in Scripture. I could recite Ephesians 2:8-10 from memory with ease, but failed to recognize that my own salvation and righteousness was obtained solely by the grace of God through faith in what Christ had done for me. I knew a lot about God, but I didn’t really know God. This inevitably led me to crash and burn, and sent me down a path of further self destruction the details of which I will save for another time😏
However, God led me back onto the right path, and I feel as if this very experience gave me a deeper understanding of my own dependence upon His grace. I began to recognize that apart from Him, His love and saving grace, I was nothing more than “a guide to my own destruction.” This thought overwhelmed me, and to this day, I am continually overwhelmed by the grace of God in my life. I realize that “we love because He first loved us.”
1 Cor 13:1-3 says: “If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions to charity, and if I surrender my body so that I may glory, but do not have love, it does me no good.” What I came to realize is that not only was all my head knowledge completely worthless if love was lacking, but apart from the love of Christ, it would only lead to my own demise. One way that I keep myself anchored on the grace of God in Christ (apart from applying the spiritual principles and disciplines we’ve already discussed) is by reminding myself of the true gospel message each day. I try to begin my morning prayer by giving thanks and praise to God first and foremost for His salvation- for the very fact that my name has been written in the book of life! This reminds me of my utter dependence upon Him for all things, and the way in which His grace touches every aspect of my life and being.
In previous years when I was younger and foolish, I thought myself a moral and good man and I provably looked down from my believed high ground.
But now I am more than aware of my true nature. God has shown it to me often, each time I start to feel too puffed up. I spend each day praying for His mercy for my transgressions that never seem to be under control. I can keep trying but more trying doesn’t actually result in any feeling of righteousness. Actually the more I try the less righteous I feel.
Now I know I’m at the mercy of His grace. I pray as that’s my own course of action…so I don’t think being falsely righteous is my problem 🙂.
But the good thing is that I I know He’s always faithful and infinitely patience. Our only hope.