Circumcision of the Heart

Romans 2:27,28,29 Jesus is the fulfillment and identity of the Law. Prior to Jesus, to be part of the kingdom of God, one had to be a Jew by birth. At this point, there was a need to address who individuals believed Jesus was: either He was the Son of God or He was a fraud.

This religion and faith was very different from Judaism. The Law no longer determined salvation and the relationship with God.

Genesis 17:24

Genesis 17:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,8,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23 Every state I am in, whatever it is, I can be content because God fills me and makes me complete. The unknown is an uncomfortable place that I tend to fill with fear and anxiety. Fill with God instead!

Genesis 12:1,2 This is the first time God speaks to Abram, age 75, about His promise.

Genesis 15:1,2,3,4,5,18 God speaks to Abram again. And forms a covenant. Abram is 86 when Ismael is born, but God doesn't reveal how he is going to fulfill His promise until Abram is 99. During these years, Abram did not abandon God and neither the wait nor the requirement of a “token” (circumcision) did not mean God was displeased with him.

Salvation doesn’t come from obedience to commandment. God first calls unconditionally in love. Then, He gives a commandment. And blessings follow. Jesus said “come and follow me” to the disciples. Moses had an invitation from the burning bush, he stopped and turned aside, and then God commanded him to remove his shoes once he responded.

Circumcision was a token of covenant, not the initial interaction with God. If Abraham had denied the token, then it would have jeopardized his relationship with God.

At times I must deal with things between myself and God, such as false gods, which is anything that creates an intoxication and demands allegiance.

Consecration means the past is buried with its intoxications, I am a new creation, and the future intrigues me and pulls me forward. This can include feelings similar to grief; there may be loss and crisis. Although I may need to honor and bury the past, I am drawn to exploration of what is coming next in my new life.

Matthew 25:31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40 Circumcision of heart creates a desire to do something with my life to impact others and causes me to be in service for God.