In these first five weeks, we’ll explore the fundamental problem of humanity—sin—and the incredible promise of God’s righteousness. Paul paints a stark picture of the universal problem of sin, but he also provides a powerful promise: the righteousness of God, revealed through faith. We will journey through Paul’s theology of human depravity and God’s provision, grounding ourselves in the reality of both our brokenness and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

This week focuses on understanding true identity from God’s perspective. Paul discusses how external markers such as circumcision or Jewish identity do not guarantee righteousness but that true identity is rooted in an authentic relationship with God.

How can you align your identity with what God says about you rather than societal or cultural markers?

Read:
Romans 2:17-20
17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; 18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—


Cross-Reference:
John 3:10-12; 
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

1 Corinthians 1:26-29
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.

Reflection:
Paul discusses how boasting in external markers like being a Jew or having the law does not make one righteous.

Question:
What are some external markers that you may rely on for your sense of identity and how can you refocus on what God says about you?

Prayer:
Father, help me to find my identity in You rather than in external achievements or status.

Read:
Romans 2:21-24
21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Cross-Reference:
Deuteronomy 10:16;
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
 
Jeremiah 4:4
Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,
    circumcise your hearts,
    you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.

Reflection:
True circumcision is not about the physical act but about the heart being devoted to God.

Question:
How can you ensure that your heart is truly devoted to God and not just following outward religious practices?

Prayer:
Lord, circumcise my heart and make it fully devoted to You, beyond mere external observances.

Read:
Romans 2:25-27
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[c] written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.

Cross-Reference:
Matthew 5:13-16;
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
 
1 Peter 2:9
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Reflection:
The testimony of a righteous life can lead others to glorify God, regardless of external identity markers.

Question:
How can your life serve as a testimony that brings glory to God and aligns with His true righteousness?

Prayer:
Jesus, let my life shine in such a way that others see Your righteousness and glorify You.

Read:
 Romans 2:28-29
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.

Cross-Reference:
Jeremiah 31:33;
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
 
Ezekiel 36:26
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Reflection:
True identity is about having the law written on the heart and living out a sincere relationship with God.

Question:
How can you cultivate a heart that is aligned with God’s law and His desires for your life?

Prayer:
Father, write Your law on my heart and help me to live out Your truth in every area of my life.

Read:
Philippians 3:3
3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—

Cross-Reference:
 Colossians 2:11-13;
11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[a] was put off when you were circumcised by[b] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[c] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

 Galatians 6:15
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

Reflection:
True spirituality is characterized by worship in the Spirit and boasting in Christ Jesus, not in external religious practices.

Question:
How can you shift your focus from external religious practices to a deeper spiritual connection with God?

Prayer:
Lord, help me to worship You in Spirit and truth and to boast only in what Christ has done in my life.

Read:
Matthew 5:48
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

 Ephesians 4:24
24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Cross-Reference:
1 Peter 1:15-16; 
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”[a]

Hebrews 12:14
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Reflection:
God calls us to reflect His righteousness and to pursue holiness in all our conduct.

Question:
How can you actively pursue holiness and reflect God’s righteousness in your daily life?

Prayer:
Father, help me to pursue holiness and reflect Your righteousness in all my actions and thoughts.

Read:
2 Corinthians 5:17;
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!

 Galatians 6:15
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.

Cross-Reference:
Romans 8:1-2; 
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.

Colossians 3:10
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Reflection:
In Christ, we are a new creation, with a new identity that transcends old markers and embraces new life.

Question:
How does understanding yourself as a new creation in Christ change your daily living and perspective?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for making me a new creation. Help me to live out this new identity with courage and faithfulness.