“For we who worship God in the Spirit
are the only ones who are truly circumcised.
We put no confidence in human effort.
Instead, we boast about what
Christ Jesus has done for us.”
Philippians 3:3
(New Living Translation)
are the only ones who are truly circumcised.
We put no confidence in human effort.
Instead, we boast about what
Christ Jesus has done for us.”
Philippians 3:3
(New Living Translation)
The Abrahamic Covenant encompassed basically three promises from God to Abraham. God promised Abraham land, descendants, blessing and redemption (Genesis 17:1-14). Circumcision was a sign of the covenant God made with Abraham and the Hebrew people (Genesis 17:10). It is the removal of the foreskin of the male reproductive organ and was to be performed on infant males when they were eight days old. The sign of circumcision was a private, but constant reminder of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants and also reminded them that they belonged to and worshiped God. Circumcision gave them identity.
Although the Hebrews bore the sign of circumcision, they failed to obey God from their heart. Repeatedly, God commanded His people to “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked” (Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). God’s people had come to rely on the outward sign of the covenant and relieved themselves of the responsibility to obey His words and commands. In the new testament, the issue of circumcision brought about factions and disputes within the body (Acts 15:5). But, Paul clearly addressed the matter in Romans 2:17-29 and says, “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.” We know that we are part of the family of God when our hearts have been changed and worship God in spirit and in truth. This is true, spiritual circumcision and gives us our identity in the family of God!
Circumcision of the flesh is no longer the sign for being in a covenant, worship relationship with God. It is the circumcision of the heart, or the cutting away of the old man and nature. The externals are futile if we neglect the internal heart change. If we allow the internal heart change by God’s spirit, the externals will follow. However, we never rely on what we do for Him, but always on what He has done for us on the cross!
External motions and forms of worship do not necessarily mean that we can claim the rights of the blessing of Abraham. Circumcision of the heart is the way of expressing that you are like Abraham by virtue of your faith in Christ. This faith will affect your heart, attitude and lifestyle regardless of whether you are a physical descendent or not.
True worship is not based on human effort but is your response to what Christ has done on the cross. We are to rejoice in His finished work and put no confidence in what we do but rely on Jesus Christ!
Although the Hebrews bore the sign of circumcision, they failed to obey God from their heart. Repeatedly, God commanded His people to “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked” (Deuteronomy 4:4; 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4). God’s people had come to rely on the outward sign of the covenant and relieved themselves of the responsibility to obey His words and commands. In the new testament, the issue of circumcision brought about factions and disputes within the body (Acts 15:5). But, Paul clearly addressed the matter in Romans 2:17-29 and says, “No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.” We know that we are part of the family of God when our hearts have been changed and worship God in spirit and in truth. This is true, spiritual circumcision and gives us our identity in the family of God!
Circumcision of the flesh is no longer the sign for being in a covenant, worship relationship with God. It is the circumcision of the heart, or the cutting away of the old man and nature. The externals are futile if we neglect the internal heart change. If we allow the internal heart change by God’s spirit, the externals will follow. However, we never rely on what we do for Him, but always on what He has done for us on the cross!
External motions and forms of worship do not necessarily mean that we can claim the rights of the blessing of Abraham. Circumcision of the heart is the way of expressing that you are like Abraham by virtue of your faith in Christ. This faith will affect your heart, attitude and lifestyle regardless of whether you are a physical descendent or not.
True worship is not based on human effort but is your response to what Christ has done on the cross. We are to rejoice in His finished work and put no confidence in what we do but rely on Jesus Christ!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment