For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh.  On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God. Romans 2:28-29 (CSB)

The Jews took pride in their special privilege of their possession of the law and the ritual of circumcision. They believed that these blessings made them superior to others (Matt. 3:9). Physical circumcision was a sign of Israel’s covenant with God; circumcision of the heart, on the other hand, indicates Israel’s being set apart to love God fully (Deut. 30:6-7).

In saying that a person is a Jew inwardly, Paul is expounding God’s purpose for man from the beginning of creation. A person belongs to God by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Circumcision of the heart is the sanctifying work of the Spirit, granting us a new will to resist sin and love God.

God is our perfect judge; our approval is from him. Often, we take pride in outward appearances of Christianity. In following a set of rules from day to day, we hope to seek the approval of man. But God sees right through the depths of our hearts. Draw to him in repentance who graciously forgives and restores. God’s desire for us is to live full lives, for our hearts and our minds to be so saturated by God’s word, that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may love God fully. Desire what God desires and be a light in this broken world.