Don’t you love when a verse hits home? It’s been there all along, but as you read it again it powerfully becomes a profound lightbulb moment! That happened to me this week.
Romans 2 describes that Christ came for Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people) alike. Much debate happened within the Jewish leaders of Jesus’ time surrounding the topic of circumcision. This was to be the outward sign for Jewish males of the covenant between God and the Israelites. It dates way back to the time of Abraham, and the practice became more rooted in Law than faith by the turn of the New Testament. Paul’s letter to the Romans included this verse, “Rather, the real Jew is the person who is a Jew on the inside, that is, whose heart has been circumcised, and this is the work of God's Spirit, not of the written Law. Such a person receives praise from God, not from human beings.” (2:29)
Isn’t that wonderful? The mark of God’s work in your life and mine should be held in our hearts. We are changed from the inside out, due to the Holy Spirit living in us! There is no outward profession or physical act necessary when the “surgery” is done by the Ultimate Healer himself.
We are constantly being renewed when we walk a life of faith with the Lord. The change is sure and steady, and develops over time. Where is the sharp tongue and tones of our past? What has happened to our desire to be right? To be rich? To be important?
We grow up and we grow out of these past behaviors as God’s mission of love becomes our singular focus. Our quest is not self-glory, but His glory.
How will we know if our hearts have been circumcised? That proof shows itself in the words we speak, the company we keep, the way we treat others, and the pursuits that fill our time. Scripture becomes the spiritual food needed to make these heart changes. We read it AND apply it. Our eyes have opened to ourselves and our tendencies, and we surrender it all to God, who is the only One to heal us.
David once wrote, “Create a pure heart in me, O God,
and put a new and loyal spirit in me.” Psalm 51:10
This is the posture of heart circumcision!
Let us all who are in Christ desire for change, for maturity, and for our own heart surgery. And as we live new & improved, our outward living will also turn others to the Surgeon.
This beautiful life gives us a journey.
One from birth to eternity.
For those of us who choose Jesus now,
Also choose a heart mending in that same vow.
We grow as we learn what the Bible conveys.
Our roots plunge deep, as we worship and pray.
The many years pass by and it’s no surprise to see
Our hearts are not what they used to be.
Where once a temper, now gentleness reigns.
Peace covers our minds & patience is gained.
We love better, stronger, and wiser each day.
Because He is the Truth, the Life, & the Way!
Photo by Piron Guillaume on Unsplash
