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.
Historically, God points out to His people that the circumcision that matters is done in the heart (Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Jeremiah 9:25-26).* In the context of this passage, Paul explains that if the circumcision of the body does not match a circumcision of the heart, it was for nothing.
Circumcision was not the covenant; it was the sign of the covenant.* In fact, ancient Egypt practiced circumcision, and Ishmael was circumcised (Genesis 17:23).* Thought God had purposes for the people of Egypt and for Ishmael, His covenant was with Israel. Had circumcision of the body been synonymous with covenant, surely right standing with God would be accessible simply by the efforts of people willing to do the procedure.
Paul explains that without the circumcision of the heart that comes via the Holy Spirit, the sign of the covenant (circumcision) became empty of its significance.* The work of right standing with God comes through the work of Jesus Christ.*
In life, we can do many things to convince ourselves and others that we are in right standing with God. We can cut things out of our lives, and we can suffer doing so. When doing these things, we can appear righteous. But what is in our heart? Have we allowed the Holy Spirit to do a work in our hearts to cut things away?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to allow Him to cut away things in your heart. Perhaps He wants you to let Him cut away anger, hurt, lies, or heaviness. Maybe Today God wants you to trade your willingness to look righteous for a desperation to actually be righteous. Perhaps God wants you to let go of the work you can do outwardly so that He can do work inwardly.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a water break… we all get thirsty.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 153). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos. Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 78–79). InterVarsity Press; Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (pp. 95). Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (p. 140). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.