The Value of the Spiritual

Jesus Is Lord
Exalting Christ
Gaining in Jesus Christ

Romans 2:17-29

The Message

Religion Can’t Save You

^17-24 If you’re brought up Jewish, don’t assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines! I have a special word of caution for you who are sure that you have it all together yourselves and, because you know God’s revealed Word inside and out, feel qualified to guide others through their blind alleys and dark nights and confused emotions to God. While you are guiding others, who is going to guide you? I’m quite serious. While preaching “Don’t steal!” are you going to rob people blind? Who would suspect you? The same with adultery. The same with idolatry. You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. The line from Scripture, “It’s because of you Jews that the outsiders are down on God,” shows it’s an old problem that isn’t going to go away.

^25-29 Circumcision, the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in accord with God’s law. But if you don’t, it’s worse than not being circumcised. The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God’s ways are as good as the circumcised—in fact, better. Better to keep God’s law uncircumcised than break it circumcised. Don’t you see: It’s not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are. It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.

For Reflection

Are you Christian?  Are you Muslim?  Are you Catholic? Are you protestant?  To what extent are you comforted by the fact that you are a member of an organized religion?  

The declaration of your religion, and yes,  even the practice of that religion is not enough.  Paul tells us it is the mark of God on your heart.  It is your devotion to living a God-centered life no matter what your declared faith that makes the difference.  Only God can offer and grant salvation -- the transformation which reconciles you to God.

Pray

that you will grow in the image of the transformed self God wants you to be.  Pray that you will grow beyond the boundaries of organized religion into a life guided by the Holy Spirit.