When the Bible speak of circumcision, what does it really mean? Some say its the cutting of ones private part of the body, some say its the matter of the heart. We must first understand that there are two very important facts surrounding this subject. One is that in the Old Testament men were under the law, and now in the New Testament men are under the Grace of God. Lets see what the Bible say about being circumcised. Lets start with the book of Genesis 17:9 it says Then God said to Abraham, As for you, you must keep my covenant, you and your descendants after you for the generations to come. This is my covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep; Every male among you shall be circumcised. Look at what the book of Romans 4:11 tell us it says And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised , so then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. Now look at Galatians 3:6 it says Consider Abraham; He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. Look at Galatians 3:10 it says All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written; Curse is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, The man who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written; Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Look at 1Corinthians 7:19 it says Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping Gods commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Now look at Romans 2:29 it says No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a mans praise is not from men, but from God. Look at Colossians 3:9 it says Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircmcised, or barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. In closing look at Galatians 2:15 it says We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too have put our faith in Christ Jesus that may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. Now look at Hebrews 10:35 it says So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will received what he has promised. For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Love Always,
Your Sister in Christ,
Mellody Davis |
