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A Matter of the Heart

Writer's picture: Ben RatliffBen Ratliff

Imagine standing before God, not with your Sunday best or your list of accomplishments, but with your heart laid bare. What would He see? This isn't about accolades or outward show; it's about who you are. In Romans 2:28-29, Paul strips away the facade, challenging us to consider what it really means to be a man of God. 


Romans 2:28-29 (ESV) 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.


This passage makes it clear that external rituals or appearances mean little without a transformation of the heart. Matthew Henry rephrases it with the New Testament believer in mind: "He is not a Christian that is one outwardly, nor is that baptism which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Christian that is one inwardly, and baptism is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter."


The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Being part of God's covenant isn't just about external acts like baptism or church attendance. It's about an inward renewal, about worshiping God in spirit and truth. 


Paul concludes verse 29 by noting: His praise is not from man but from God. This is a direct critique of seeking human approval over divine acceptance.


In his commentary on Romans, John Fesko says of this last line: "People in any age can fall into formalism,” and then he quotes from Dutch theologian Wilhelmus à Brakel:

“We practice this when in the engagement of religious exercise we have ourselves in view so that we may be honored by men. This occurs when a minister stirs up his gifts, appears to be filled with the spirit in prayer, preaches with much fire, but with all this, his objective is to be esteemed as godly and learned and to have the praise and esteem of the people. How abominable! This occurs when a person faithfully comes to church and sits there gravely and attentively in order to gain the reputation of being pious, or sings to let his voice be heard and how well he knows the tune. This also occurs when one sighs loudly during prayer, and makes worshipful and even foolish gestures in order  to be seen and heard. This takes place when a  person puts on a show of being very attentive during  the sermon, while in the meantime, he is secretly looking about to observe whether others see him. It  is also the case when one casts but little in the  basket of the deacon and is desirous that it sounds as  if it were a great gift. In one word, hypocrisy is to  create the appearance of serving God while in  reality having men in view, and thus one’s self.”


Men, we are often judged by our achievements, our roles, and our outward strength. But here's a call to look inward:


Spiritual Disciplines: Make spiritual disciplines part of your routine, not just for public display. Set a consistent time each day for personal prayer and Scripture reading, even if it's just 10 minutes. Use this time to meditate on how the Bible applies to your life. Consider memorizing a verse each week to carry with you. 


Mentorship and Accountability: Actively seek out a mentor who has demonstrated a strong inward faith, and meet regularly, perhaps once a month, to discuss life, faith, and Scripture. Set specific, measurable goals for your spiritual growth, like reading through a book of the Bible together, tackling a particular sin, or challenge in your life. This should be more than a friendship— it should be a relationship where you're encouraged to live out your faith authentically, even when no one is watching.


Leadership: As men tasked with leading families and communities, start each day with prayer for guidance, not just for action. Practice leading by listening and learning from those you lead, showing them through your actions what it means to follow Christ. For instance, set aside time weekly for family devotions where you discuss scripture together, fostering an environment where faith is lived out, not just talked about.


Men, let us seek the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. May we be true worshippers, focused not on the praise of men but on the approval of God.


Ben Ratliff is the Associate Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, MS and serves as an editor for Reforming Men.


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