God’s Hope for Your Heart from Romans 2
GOD WANTS TO FREE YOUR HEART
For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 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. (Romans 2:28-29)
At first read, one might say, “I’m not trying to be Jewish. How does this apply to me?”
Paul’s point isn’t about ethnic conformity, but family identity. He’s talking about participation in the family of God, and reminding us of the true test of belonging.
The family of God isn’t about putting on a show for other people, but about a life that overflows good out of a forgiven and transformed heart. That life is rewarded and that life truly belongs to God.
Do you sometimes struggle to do the right thing, even though you really want to? Do you sometimes fail to follow what you know God asks of you, even though your deepest desire is to please Him? Take heart!
The fact that you want to please your Savior is the thing that really matters. We all stumble, but if you find yourself driven to get back up again, that’s a sure-fire sign that God’s love really has taken root in your heart, and your heart really has been changed.
As you follow Jesus today to the best of your ability, remember that the Christian life is not about conforming to an external code of behavior. It’s about God releasing you from bondage on the inside. That’s why you can have hope in this truth: God wants to free your heart.
-Pastor Phillip
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