“External vs. Internal Religion” (Romans 2:25-29)

“External vs. Internal Religion” (Romans 2:25–29)

Pastor Cameron Jungels

Eastside Baptist Church

Sunday AM, April 30, 2017

 

Romans 2:25–29 (NIV)

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 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.

 

 1.  External religion, by itself, is of no value and no guarantee of eternal salvation.

 2.  External religion, to have any meaning, must flow from internal religion, that is, the regeneration of the heart that expresses itself in obedience to God and good deeds.

 3.  External religion, by itself, is done for the praise of people; but internal religion that expresses itself in obedience and good deeds is done for the praise of God.