“…a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart—it is spiritual and not literal. Such a person receives praise not from others but from God. Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much, in every way. For in the first place the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. What if some were unfaithful? Will their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Although everyone is a liar, let God be proved true, as it is written,

“So that you may be justified in your words,

and prevail in your judging.”

But if our injustice serves to confirm the justice of God, what should we say? That God is unjust to inflict wrath on us? (I speak in a human way.) By no means! For then how could God judge the world? But if through my falsehood God’s truthfulness abounds to his glory, why am I still being condemned as a sinner? And why not say (as some people slander us by saying that we say), “Let us do evil so that good may come”? Their condemnation is deserved!” Romans 2:29, 3:1-8

Romans 2:29a: “real circumcision is a matter of the heart – it is spiritual and not literal.” The emperor Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome in 49 CE (AD) due to the preaching of Christ among Jewish synagogues. It resulted in disturbances from the Jews against the Roman government. While the Jews were out, the churches in Rome became increasingly Gentile. When the Jews began to return in 54 CE, there would have been increasing tensions between the Gentiles and the Jews in Rome. Therefore, Paul is writing (in response to the obvious tension that existed) to first claim that both the Jew and the Gentile are “guilty” and unable to receive salvation apart from the grace of God through Jesus Christ. It is against this backdrop that Paul has said things like “in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself” (2:1) and “There will be anguish and distress for everyone who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek.”

All of these words will lead Paul to his great statement in 3:23-24 “since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

The one thing that makes us all the same — that makes us all equal in the eyes of G-d is our need for the Grace that comes through the cross of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Dave

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips. A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both. Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts, but profuse are the kisses of an enemy. The sated appetite spurns honey, but to a ravenous appetite even the bitter is sweet. Like a bird that strays from its nest is one who strays from home. Perfume and incense make the heart glad, but the soul is torn by trouble. Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent; do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away. Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.” Proverbs 27:1-11

“Better is a neighbor who is nearby than kindred who are far away.” (Proverbs 27:10b) Boy is that the truth. I live in a neighborhood where there are pockets of friendly people. As my wife and I take our walks, we always have to stop at some point in time to talk with people we know or others who are walking. We would like to know more of our neighbors, but some go inside their homes if we approach (I sometimes get a complex); others seem never to be home; and others never come out of their houses except for work and the grocery store. Getting to know your neighbors is the best way to stop robberies and helps to build a sense of community. Our busy schedules don’t often allow for daily conversation with our neighbors; it takes time and effort to build a relationship. But, if we take the time, we can build such relationships and eventually have the opportunity to share our faith stories. After all, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves — whether they are the house next door, or the grumpy man down the street.

Pastor Dave