READ: Rom. 2:25–29: … but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
Possessing the law does not make Jews saved; they are not better in themselves than Gentiles. The same applies to circumcision. Being circumcised without keeping the law has no value at all.
Likewise, holy baptism and the Lord’s Supper have no value if you do not live in faithful obedience to God’s Word and out of the forgiveness of your sins.
God’s covenant has two parts: a promise and a demand (as in the form for baptism). In baptism we are called by God and obligated to a new obedience. Participation in the Lord’s Supper is also permitted only if you are not living in sin (as in the Lord’s Supper form).
Paul concludes that if someone lives according to God’s Word but is not circumcised, in God’s eyes he is the same as someone who does the same and is circumcised. The two grounds on which the Jews base their confidence for salvation—having the law and being circumcised—are declared by Paul to be insufficient.
The law is not a solid foundation for salvation because no one can keep the law in all its parts. Circumcision is not a good ground because it is an outward act that says nothing about the inward life.
Thus, the readers of the letter must accept that man can only stand before God if the righteousness of Christ is imputed to him by faith (see 1:17; 3:21-24; 5:1). They are God’s children and heirs not because they are members of the Jewish people and Abraham’s physical descendants, but because they are believers and Abraham’s spiritual children.
This is a matter of pure grace, which concerns the inner being of man. This will also be evident from their deeds of faith. Then there is no praise from men, but approval from God (v.29)!
What, then, is the meaning of baptism for us?
Sing: Ps. 86:4