The Heart of the Law and the Circumcision of the Heart

QUOTES FOR REFLECTION

“Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.”

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), statesman, scientist, master of the German language

“A teacher who is attempting to teach without inspiring the pupil with a desire to learn is hammering on cold iron.”

~Horace Mann (1796-1859), educational reformer, politician, and abolitionist

“To see the law by Christ fulfilled,

And hear his pardoning voice,

Changes a slave into a child,

And duty into choice.”

~William Cowper (1731-1800), English poet and hymnwriter

“Our pleasure and our duty,

Though opposite before,

Since we have seen His beauty

Are joined to part no more.”

~John Newton (1725-1807), slave trader turned abolitionist and pastor

“Run, John, and work, the law commands,

yet finds me neither feet nor hands,

But sweeter news the gospel brings,

it bids me fly and lends me wings!”

~John Berridge (1716–1793), English revivalist and hymnist

“Regeneration is the sovereign act of God by His Holy Spirit whereby he implants new life (a new heart) into man so that the thoughts and inclinations of man’s heart are disposed unto holiness. God creates a hunger and thirst for the bread and living water which comes from heaven. The Bible calls regeneration being ‘born again’ or ‘born of the Spirit’.”

~ Rev. Paul Treick (1944-2025), Christian minister and writer

“This monster of self-righteousness, this stiff-necked beast, needs a big axe. And that is what the law is, a big axe…. When the law drives you to the point of despair, let it drive you a little farther. Let it drive you straight into the arms of Jesus who says: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”

~Martin Luther (1483-1546), German reformer

SERMON PASSAGE

Romans 2:17-29 (ESV)

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 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.