Praised by God
By Greg Johnson
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
God’s Word says (Romans 2:28-29 NIV) "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. {29} No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God."
THE LAW WAS GIVEN TO REVEAL THAT WE ARE SINNERS.
Under the old covenant, the law was given to reveal sin. In Exodus chapter 20 we are told of how God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. This was the law given by God. The law did not give us power to overcome sin. The law was given to reveal to us that we are sinners and need a savior.
Let me give you an example. You are driving down the road in a 55 mph speed zone. There is no traffic. It’s a beautiful clear day. The road is flat and straight. You are late for a very important appointment. The state law dictates that you should go 55 mph. It is interesting that you are not tempted to go 50 mph. Instead you are tempted to go 60 mph. The law reveals that you are a law breaker when you go 60 mph in a 55 mph speed zone. The law has no power to help you go 55 mph. It only reveals that you are a law breaker when you go over it.
That’s how God’s law is. It has no power to help us not be sinners. It only reveals to us that we are sinners and that we are in desperate need of help.
Under the old covenant, God gave the law. Circumcision was an outward sign of God’s covenant people. Praise God that Jesus came to fulfill the law! Today we are living under a new covenant with God.
THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN TO CHANGE OUR HEARTS.
Under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit is given to change our hearts. God has given us His Word. We have the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. God has also given us the Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts. Circumcision of the heart is now the sign of God’s covenant people.
Circumcision of the heart is not by might nor by power; circumcision of the heart is by the Spirit. We can not change our sinful hearts. The law can not change our sinful hearts. The Law reveals our sinful hearts and the Holy Spirit changes our sinful hearts. This change begins the moment we believe in what Jesus did for us at the cross.
In John Chapter three, a religionist named Nichodemus comes to Jesus with questions in his mind concerning Jesus. (John 3:1-17 NIV) "Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. {2} He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." {3} In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." {4} "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!" {5} Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. {6} Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. {7} You should not be surprised at my saying, ’You must be born again.’ {8} The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." {9} "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. {10} "You are Israel’s teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? {11} I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. {12} I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? {13} No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. {14} Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, {15} that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. {16} "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Under the new covenant, the Holy Spirit is given to us to regenerate us the moment we believe. Jesus called this being “born again.” The Spirit circumcises our hearts and begins to set us apart from the world for God’s use. We call this sanctification. The Holy Spirit regenerates us and sanctifies us. Regeneration is instantaneous. Sanctification is both instantaneous and progressive. As we mature in Jesus; as we keep our eyes fixed on Him through spending time with Him in the Word and in prayer, the Spirit imparts more and more of Jesus’ nature in us. Through the way we live our lives, we reveal Jesus to a lost and dying world.
The law reveals that we are sinners and need help with our sin problem. The Spirit imparts supernatural power to us that will enable us to conquer our sin problems and live victoriously in Christ Jesus. Praise be to God! The Word of God says (2 Timothy 1:7 NIV) "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." That is the Holy Spirit that is at work in you! It started the moment you placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Beloved, you have a supernatural helper deposited within you. You have not been left comfortless. The Spirit of God is imparting His life to you. The Holy Spirit is changing you as He circumcises your heart. The Holy Spirit is cutting away the flesh of your heart and the more flesh that goes; the more you are sanctified and separated from this world for God’s purposes. God is working in you! The same Spirit that resided in Jesus when He walked the earth; the same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead and placed Him at the right hand of the Father; that’s the same Spirit that resides in you! God has given us supernatural help to get us from earth to Glory! Hallelujah! Praise be to God!
Look how Romans chapter two concludes. The last sentence says “Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” As the Spirit comes and cuts away the flesh of our hearts, God Himself gives us praise. We are praised by God. There are so many today endeavoring for the praises of man. We are receiving the praises of God as we allow His Spirit to circumcise our hearts. What a wonderful reality it is; God praising us! He loves us so much. We are His inheritance and He will take care of us for all eternity! Praise His name!
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