June 17th - Reflection

Romans 2:17-29 (NRSV)
Real circumcision is a matter of the heart

But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast of your relation to God and know his will and determine what is best because you are instructed in the law, and if you are sure that you are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you, then, that teach others, will you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You that forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You that abhor idols, do you rob temples? You that boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. So, if those who are uncircumcised keep the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then those who are physically uncircumcised but keep the law will condemn you that have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is true circumcision something external and physical. Rather, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart - it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God.

Reflection
So why do we desire to keep the law? Why do we want to do good? Is it because we feel we have to in order to gain some reward? Or rather do we desire to obey God's law because of what God has done for us? Do our good actions give us a right to heaven? Or do our actions speak in response to what has already been accomplished.

I think I hear the message of the circumcision of the heart coming through. I know that my sinful actions are actions that deserve death. I know that I deserve eternal damnation. I know that no action I could perform on my own could earn salvation.

But as I look to the Word, I see an action that was taken on my behalf. I see One who walked the life I walk and took on the sin that I commit and suffered and died in that sin. I know of One who after three days arose from death and ascended into heaven. I know of One who came for me and for you to earn that salvation the I or you could never earn from any good actions of our own. I know of Jesus and his life. And I know of the actions of the Holy Spirit that come through those who have been redeemed by Christ and act out faithfully those good actions Jesus takes in this world today. I know of the Holy Spirit that gifts, calls and unites the people of God to act out in compassion and love for a world of sinners.

What about those actions?...those actions are a loving response to what God first did for you and me. Actions not to gain eternal life on my own...but actions to live out that eternal life that God has freely given through the actions of Jesus our Lord and Savior. Actions in eternal life that are a true joy to do...actions of saints and sinners living as one in God's Kingdom day after day.

That's circumcision of the heart! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Make my actions this day, Lord, a joyful singing of praise to what you have already done. --- Amen