Sermon Central
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Circumcision Of The Heart Series
Contributed by James May on Mar 14, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul teaches that circumcision of the flesh is not what makes us righteous but circumcision of the Heart!
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Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording, including sermon titles, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these sermons. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copied and/or quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Pastor James May
CIRCUMCISION OF THE HEART
(continuation of the Study of Romans 2)
God does not play favoritism in dealing with man. He loves all of us equally regardless of stature, color, creed or any other factor. God does not look upon the outward appearance but makes every judgment for works that we do according to the condition and motive of the heart. He is an impartial judge and He judges not on which story sounds the best, or which testimony is most believable, but according to most secret desires and the hidden agenda of our heart.
Psalms 19:9, "The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether."
In verses 12 – 14, Paul begins his case against relying upon circumcision of the flesh vs of circumcision of the heart. Gentiles, who never hear the law are not given special preference simply because they did not know God’s law or have never heard it preached. Jews, who have heard and learned the law and have failed to obey every part of the law will be just as guilty and will receive the same sentence of guilt.
There are many sinner people who naturally decide to live according a higher standard of the moral law. By virtue of the fact that they are able to discern evil and good, the Law that God has placed within every man condemns them for their failure to obey even one law of morality.
Paul’s point to the church is this – So what if you know the Law and have heard it many times over. Your guilt is even the greater for you have had the opportunity but chose to disobey. It isn’t the hearing and knowing that counts – It’s the doing that really matters.
Worldly people who do not know Christ or who are ignorant of the ways of holiness that God teaches in His Word are still condemned by virtue of the fact they have a sense of right and wrong and a sense of justice that is placed in them at the moment of their creation. Their own instincts and knowledge that there has to be a right and wrong, evil and good, brings them under the condemnation of the Law and the penalty is death without exception.
In verse 15 Paul’s point is that within every one of us there is a great spiritual battle raging. Inside each heart there is a constant argument of should I or should I not. The Code of Morality that God has placed in each of us is constantly being barraged and brought into question so that our true nature and the real desires of our heart can be made manifest. There is an ongoing and never-ending battle that rages in each heart of flesh that forces our true nature to be revealed.
As we look with guilt, anxiety, frustration, anger, fear and confusion at the coming of the Great White Throne Judgment, we cannot help but hope and pray that our sin is covered, by the Blood of the Lamb so that we shall not appear before the Judge of the Universe without a covering for our sin. The thought and intent of the heart will be revealed for what it really is. The motive behind every deed we do will be revealed. God will not keep a secret for anyone but the evil deeds, bad attitudes and sin of everyone who stands before Him will be revealed for all to see.
Illustration:
Luke 12:1-3, "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."
