The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Genesis 17:13b,
"My [God's] covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant."
The covenant God established with Abraham was to be a covenant that would impact Abraham's very flesh, for Abraham himself, and all who would be members of his household. It was the covenant of circumcision.
This covenant of circumcision, physical, real, and to be performed on all male members of Abraham's household, became a symbol, a type of a reality later recognized in God's program of the redemption of mankind.
Paul tells us, "A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God." Romans 2:28-29.
The fulfillment of circumcision is the work God does within us when we respond to his invitation to salvation. When we come to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters into us, into our lives, and begins a work within us. The evidence produced by this work of the Holy Spirit is what Paul points to when he speaks of those who have joined God's kingdom.
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Romans 8:12-14.
While it was only males who bore in their bodies this message of a spiritual reality to come, all men and women who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith now participate in this spiritual circumcision of our flesh. Paul speaks of a reality we exist in as we come to Jesus Christ, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18. That term, "sinful nature", is actually "flesh" (in the Greek). It is that struggle against our sinful nature, our "flesh" that becomes a reality. It is to be "circumcised".
As that process of the circumcision of our hearts takes place, the writer of Hebrews quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." Hebrews 12 5b-6. He goes on to say in verse 11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The Holy Spirit wins the day!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"My [God's] covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant."
The covenant God established with Abraham was to be a covenant that would impact Abraham's very flesh, for Abraham himself, and all who would be members of his household. It was the covenant of circumcision.
This covenant of circumcision, physical, real, and to be performed on all male members of Abraham's household, became a symbol, a type of a reality later recognized in God's program of the redemption of mankind.
Paul tells us, "A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person's praise is not from other people, but from God." Romans 2:28-29.
The fulfillment of circumcision is the work God does within us when we respond to his invitation to salvation. When we come to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters into us, into our lives, and begins a work within us. The evidence produced by this work of the Holy Spirit is what Paul points to when he speaks of those who have joined God's kingdom.
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Romans 8:12-14.
While it was only males who bore in their bodies this message of a spiritual reality to come, all men and women who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith now participate in this spiritual circumcision of our flesh. Paul speaks of a reality we exist in as we come to Jesus Christ, "For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." Romans 7:18. That term, "sinful nature", is actually "flesh" (in the Greek). It is that struggle against our sinful nature, our "flesh" that becomes a reality. It is to be "circumcised".
As that process of the circumcision of our hearts takes place, the writer of Hebrews quotes Proverbs 3:11-12, "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son." Hebrews 12 5b-6. He goes on to say in verse 11, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." The Holy Spirit wins the day!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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