I have found it interesting that the Lord uses circumcision as a depiction of a changed heart. For the picture of a hardened heart is that shell that develops around our hearts to the point that we cannot be sensitive to anyone but ourselves, our own needs and desires. Because we are wrapped up in our own little world. Leviticus and Deuteronomy give us a clue of what heart circumcision is all about:
Leviticus 26:40a, 41b “If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness...-or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,” and in Deuteronomy 10:16 we read: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stiff-necked.”
A New Testament verse that I read in Romans 2:29 also addresses the state of the heart. Paul says “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
Paul makes a few valid points here stating that circumcision of the heart is not done by living in the law but it is done by the Spirit. It is the Spirit of God within us that works continually to bring us to that place of Christ-likeness and not by following a set of rules and regulations that are impossible to keep and that we are destined to break. I am reminded of how we can look great on the outside but inside we are still very selfish and sinful, and determined to gratify our flesh. That is just plain sinful and that is not why God has created us.
Paul goes on to say that we should not seek praise from men but from God. I have a suspicion that by attempting to follow the letter of the Law that we might be focusing on the wrong details instead of tending to the issues of our heart. For when we are seeking praises from God, to which others do not need to be made aware of, we are doing the right thing for the right One. It is only then that as we lay down ourselves--getting out of our me-centered world--that others will observe a Christ-like change that will be evidenced by our behavior.
Am I really who I say I am? Do I really walk the talk? When others observe my behavior, do they see genuine love and concern for others (like I preach) or do they see one who is merely pursuing her own agenda. I am finding that change will only happen for me when I get my focus off of myself and put it on loving others. That is the daily laying down my agenda and picking up His cross to follow after Him which helps me see the needs of others. I please Him by loving Him and then loving others!
Here is a link to a very thought provoking song by Matthew West.
Leviticus 26:40a, 41b “If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their forefathers, in their unfaithfulness...-or if their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled so that they then make amends for their iniquity,” and in Deuteronomy 10:16 we read: “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stiff-necked.”
A New Testament verse that I read in Romans 2:29 also addresses the state of the heart. Paul says “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
Paul makes a few valid points here stating that circumcision of the heart is not done by living in the law but it is done by the Spirit. It is the Spirit of God within us that works continually to bring us to that place of Christ-likeness and not by following a set of rules and regulations that are impossible to keep and that we are destined to break. I am reminded of how we can look great on the outside but inside we are still very selfish and sinful, and determined to gratify our flesh. That is just plain sinful and that is not why God has created us.
Paul goes on to say that we should not seek praise from men but from God. I have a suspicion that by attempting to follow the letter of the Law that we might be focusing on the wrong details instead of tending to the issues of our heart. For when we are seeking praises from God, to which others do not need to be made aware of, we are doing the right thing for the right One. It is only then that as we lay down ourselves--getting out of our me-centered world--that others will observe a Christ-like change that will be evidenced by our behavior.
Am I really who I say I am? Do I really walk the talk? When others observe my behavior, do they see genuine love and concern for others (like I preach) or do they see one who is merely pursuing her own agenda. I am finding that change will only happen for me when I get my focus off of myself and put it on loving others. That is the daily laying down my agenda and picking up His cross to follow after Him which helps me see the needs of others. I please Him by loving Him and then loving others!
Here is a link to a very thought provoking song by Matthew West.
But Lord, I have stuff to do today...oh, that’s right, Jenny really needs my help today...five hours later it is time to make supper. I thought it was going to be a quiet evening at home until the phone rang and Terry called me to tell me that she just found out that her husband has been stepping out on her...three hours later it was bed time. Mary needs a ride to an appointment out of town, but I was going to do something fun just for me...Mary is scared and really needs a friend to be with her...how can I say no?
