Circumcision of the Heart

Even though the Old Testament law required physical circumcision, the Law and the Prophets talk about the need for the 'Circumcision of the Heart'  repeatedly.  Deuteronomy 10:16 says, "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked."Jeremiah 4:4 says, "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings."  The Bible says in Romans 2:28-29, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God."  Since the Old Testament and the New Testament emphasize the 'Circumcision of the Heart,' we must understand what the Lord means by that phrase.

An 'uncircumcised heart' is an unrepentant heart.  The 'uncircumcised heart'  is entangled in the flesh and unyielding to the Spirit of God.  It is stubborn and disobedient.  The 'uncircumcised heart' is arrogant and selfish.  The 'uncircumcised heart' leads to 'stiff-necked' behaviour (Ex 32:9).  That is why Moses, in his parting address, advised the people not to be 'stiff-necked.' God wants us to follow Him out of our love for Him.  He wants us to have a heart that wants to obey Him. Becoming a child of God is a matter of the heart.  We do not become a child of God by participating in certain religious ceremonies.  We become a child of God because of a changed heart!  A circumcised heart is sensitive to the call of God and desires to live in obedience to Him.  A circumcised heart wants to bring glory to God through its choices. 

My friend, let us examine our hearts today.  The Bible tells us to circumcise our hearts; therefore it must be something we can do on our own.  An uncircumcised heart will lead to destruction, while a circumcised heart that is sensitive to God will lead to eternal life.  And the choice is ours!

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