The outline:
1) The wrong grounds for confidence.
a) Heritage.
b) Knowledge.
c) Ceremony.
2) The right grounds for confidence.
a) The goodness of God.
b) The faithfulness of God.
c) The purity of God.
The main idea:
In verses 27-29 areas of false confidence are challenged.
Having a heritage of being God’s people is not a ground of being accepted by God. Particularly when the label is all that is wanted and there is no substance behind it. Some have little interest in what in involved in being one of God’s people but will happily present themselves as such.
Others may turn to you in order to know what being one of God’s people is about and the gap between your behaviour and the teachings of the Bible would be such that enquirers are deterred.
The act of circumcision was intended to point to a spiritual reality, not a guarantee of salvation in itself. It must be accompanied by an inward life which is set apart for God in order to be helpful.
In verses 1-8 the reason for real confidence is asserted.
It must be recognised that God is good. In His goodness He has given a tremendous blessing to the Jews. It falls upon them to recognise this and use the blessing in its intended manner.
God is faithful. Time and again in the face of unfaithfulness by individuals and the people as a whole God’s faithfulness to His promises are all the more radiantly evident. David testified that God’s judgment against him was true. His dependence was upon God’s faithfulness, not his own capacities. Human sin, corporately and individually serves to contrast the pure nature of God’s faithful goodness.
God is pure. He has no malicious intent in this course. If human sin points to God’s goodness, should He not be happy for it? Not at all. Is it unfair of God to judge? Not at all. This is a slur on God’s character and invites judgment in itself.
We are all called to turn from confidence in our selves for righteousness and turn to God, instead.
mgpcpastor's blog 