Today’s reading:
Romans 2:25-29
“…. and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter, …” (v. 29)
After the fall of man in the Garden of Eden and the subsequent ejection of Adam and Eve from it, we read in Gen 6:1 that men began to multiply on the face of the earth. But God quickly noticed that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was continually evil. God was sorry that He made man, and was grieved in his heart (Gen 6:5-6). So, from the beginning, man’s heart had been an issue for God. God eventually flooded man out of the earth, leaving Noah and his family. His family began to multiply and to fill the earth. Many generations later brought Abraham to the fore, because God found him to be obedient. So God decided to make a covenant between him and Abraham, and his descendants after him (Gen. 17:2-14). God commanded Abraham and his generations to keep his covenant which is “Every male child among you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant” (v9-11).
Many generations later, Jacob’s twelve sons became the twelve tribes of Israel, whom God chose for himself to be used to reach out to mankind with his love, character and nature. So God’s covenant was re-enacted to the Israelites and He commanded them to keep it to the end. This mark of circumcision was a physical reminder that they were separated from the rest of the world, set apart to serve the true God. Furthermore, God said He had chosen them over everything He had made and had a special love for them. However, consequently, if they broke the terms of the covenant, they would have a greater punishment than those in the world. The sign of the covenant, therefore, pointed to their need for their hearts to be set apart to love and obey God (Deut. 10:12-22). The importance of the mark of the covenant is seen in Josh. 5:2-9, when God commanded Joshua that the sons of the Israelites should be circumcised a second time, just before they would enter the Promised Land. Evidently, as recorded in the scriptures, the Israelites and others in the world broke and continued to break the covenant with God. This is no wonder because the heart of man had been observed by God from the beginning, to be continually evil. Since God is a loving and perfect God, who does not want the punishment or death of the sinner, He raised Moses and other prophets to prophesy to the children of Israel that in the future, He would circumcise their hearts, no longer their flesh (foreskin), so that they would be able to love him with all their hearts and with all their soul, so that they might live (Deut. 30:6). In Jer. 4:4, the prophet instructed the people to circumcise themselves to the Lord and take away the foreskins of their hearts.
The coming of our Lord Jesus to the earth to redeem mankind resulted in the gift of “salvation”, through his suffering, crucifixion, death and resurrection. For anyone to be saved, he is required to confess his sins, including the inherited adamic sin, repent of them all, accept and confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Jesus then sends the Holy Spirit, the third in the Trinity, to that man to start the work of transformation from the old self (heart) to a new man. Sanctification is also progressively being accomplished by the Holy Spirit. Rather than the circumcision of the flesh, the evil heart of old is now circumcised to give a brand new heart. Apostle Paul in our Today’s reading in v29 spoke of the circumcision that is of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter (Law/Commandment) or the flesh. He called it an inward, not an outward action like of the old in the flesh, which was not good enough, not effective with men.
Circumcision of the heart is spoken of by Paul in Col. 2:11. He assured the believers in Colossae that in Christ they were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. Paul also confirmed to believers in Philippi in Phil. 3:3 that they were the circumcised who worshipped God in the Spirit, having no confidence in the flesh.
Summarily, circumcision of the heart is a radical change, an inner transformation which results in a new heart (man), but which is outwardly recognised by changes in behaviour and even character. Humility, faith, hope and love are exhibited. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. How can one receive the circumcision of the heart? The process starts from salvation which results in a new creation. Then transformation begins, leading on to circumcision of the heart inwardly. Once the Holy Spirit is given access and allowed to do what He desires, the required changes will begin to manifest in the person. The whole process continues for life here on earth until perfection is achieved. Watch out, we all need to surrender to the Holy Spirit for this spiritual circumcision of our hearts, if we desire to please and love God with our whole spirit and soul to the end. We must be willing, cooperate, endure the pain and at the end we will be the best for it.
CHRISTIE KUPOLUYI
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: “Father, I acknowledge my sin against you. I repent and ask for forgiveness in the name of Jesus. I surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. By the power of your Holy Spirit, take control of my heart and lead me in your path of righteousness.
Thank you, Lord.” Congratulations!
If you said the prayer, prayerfully look for a living church and meet the resident pastor, priest or reverend.
Prayer:
Father almighty, thank you for your everlasting love towards mankind.
Precious Jesus, we appreciate your once-for-all sacrifice for our salvation.
Holy Spirit, we thank you for the work of circumcision of our hearts, designed by the Father to make us worthy to live for him and our Lord.
Father, please lead the church to encourage believers to surrender to the circumcision of their hearts.
Father, send revival to our nation so that every heart will be circumcised.
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