OUR FATHER WHO REQUIRES THAT WE LIVE BY THE SPIRIT

The Apostle Paul, in chapter 2 verses 25 - 29 of his letter to the Romans, continues with his deconstruction of the claims of those who taught that believers had to adhere to the laws of Moses.

Paul makes the case that to outwardly follow the law is fruitless because doing so is a function of the flesh underwhich it will fail and be condemned. 

Paul informs his readers that the external circumcision is merely a pointer towards the internal circumcision  of the flesh which is by the Spirit and which is what gains the approval of God.

 25 Circumcision has value if you  observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 So then, if those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

Amen.

4