Romans 2:17-29
The Jews and the Law
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[b]
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[c]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.
One of my favourite purchases has been my record player. I love sitting down, choosing an album and filling the room with music. It changes the environment, brings energy or calm and fills our home with joy. I love my record player.
I think that there is a record playing at the centre of every life and everyone can hear it. It changes the environment of the rooms that you walk into and it might well be the most important thing about you.
For most people, the record is ‘me, me, me, me.’ We are obsessed, fixated, fascinated with ourselves. We are thinking of ourselves all the time. Writing to Jewish followers of Jesus, Paul wrote this:
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.
Romans 2:28-29
The Jews were the chosen people of God and were meant to be a light in the dark world. However, many had lost their way and so Paul says to them, it is not about being born a Jew but having the Holy Spirit in your centre. That is what sets the tone of your life.
When your centre is right, it affects everything else. You live from your deepest places. So, how do you live with the Holy Spirit at your centre? We listen and we obey. We spend time in prayer and we follow what God is asking us to do. Not ‘my will be done’ but ‘on earth as it is in heaven.’ Let every action sing of your goodness and your love and your forgiveness and mercy. Let that be the soundtrack of my life.
What is the record of your life?
Do your actions amplify or distort this?
What does it look like to live a righteous life?
