Category: Bible

Circumcision of the Heart

One of the definitions of circumcision in the dictionary is a spiritual purification. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is akin to circumcision of the heart! In the Greek, the word originates from peritome and means to be set apart from the sinful masses and Truly devoted to God.

But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (NKJV) No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. Romans 2:29 (NLT)

Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God. Romans 3:1&2

 And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:12

By allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, we are grafted into the Jewish birthright through the Holy Spirit and receive the revelations of God. To be truly devoted to God, we must follow him with our whole heart and not keep back certain parts.  To be able to discern the scriptures and gain understanding requires forgiveness. Not only must we forgive others, we must forgive ourselves. God has already forgiven us by sending his son. When our hearts are not pliable, we don’t allow the Holy Spirit in to work through us. We lead others away from the gospel instead of to the open heart and arms of our wonderful and loving Heavenly Father.

But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. Galatians 2:11-13

Peter’s problem was not in eating with the Gentiles but later refusing to socialize with them. He was trying to make them follow the law and not rely on their faith in Jesus Christ. It is only by faith and believing in Jesus Christ that we Are made right with God. When we shun people based on their stature in life, the way they look, their lack in any area, we become a stumbling block to others. No wonder so many run from the gospel! Why would they want to associate with hypocrites (people who pretend)?

Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. Galatians 5:2&3

We cannot rely on a ceremonial act to make us ‘right’ with God. We cannot live a just life by our own practice, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in everything we do. What area of our lives are we not allowing God to work in? What ‘law’ or act is our stumbling block to others? What religious rite are we performing to gain holiness? Unless the Holy Spirit is working in our lives, we are just make-believe Christians.

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:16 & 25

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. Ephesians 2:11

Are we uncircumcised heathens who cannot get into the kingdom? Are we the non-believing Jews who only put on an outward show of following God and didn’t have a heart for Him?

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. Colossians 2:11

But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ. 1 John 2:27

God sent us the Holy Spirit to allow us to love others and to discern truth. It is through our pliable heart that we hear his voice and see with his eyes.

And he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. 2 Corinthians 1:22

Prayer: Father help me to keep my heart submissive to the Holy Spirit working in me to hear your voice and see with your eyes. Help me to share your love which has no classifications or categories to do Your perfect will. Help me be able to pour out Your love and peace on others. In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen.

Credits: mbaum heart with mouth

God’s Confirming Word

As I read Psalm 147, I was reminded of how God confirms his Word through his Word and many other verses came to mind. I looked up these confirming verses and have linked them to this passage. You may see the verses by clicking on their links, then transfer back to this passage with the back button on your browser. (My words are in parentheses.)
Psalm 147

Praise the Lord!

How good to sing praises to our God!

How delightful and how fitting!

(True Worship! John 4:23-24)

2 The Lord is rebuilding Jerusalem

and bringing the exiles back to Jerusalem.

(Into communion and relationship with Him. Revelations 21:3)

3 He heals the brokenhearted

(the disillusioned, the disappointed, those who hurt)

and bandages their wounds.

(Every trouble that befalls us. Romans 5:3-5)

4 He counts the stars

(And knows His people! John10:14)

and calls them (me) all by name.

5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute!

His understanding is beyond comprehension!

(Ephesians 3:19)

6 The Lord supports the humble,

(Those with childlike trust and a sense of awe. Matthew 18:4)

but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

(Those who are rebellious. 1 John 3:9-11) 

7 Sing out your thanks to the Lord;

sing praises to our God with a harp.

(Colossians 3:15-17)

8 He covers the heavens with clouds,

provides rain for the earth,

and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.

(He provides literal rain. James 5:16-18)

9 He gives food to the wild animals

and feeds the young ravens when they cry.

(So, don’t worry! Matthew 6:31-33)

10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse

or in human might.

(Doing things on our own does not impress God. Philippians 2:13-15)

11 No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him,

those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

(Those who allow God to lead them. 1 John 4:18)

12 Glorify the Lord, O Jerusalem!

Praise your God, O Zion!

13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates

(He protects us. Psalm 91)

and blessed your children within your walls.

(He Loves us. Romans 8:38-39)

14 He sends peace across your nation

(His peace which we can’t explain. Philippians 4:7)

and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.

(There are Rewards for following God. Ephesians 3:6)

15 He sends his orders to the world—

how swiftly his word flies!

(If God is for us, who can stand against us? Romans 8:31)

16 He sends the snow like white wool;

he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.

17 He hurls the hail like stones.

Who can stand against his freezing cold?

(God controls the weather.)

18 Then, at his command, it all melts.

He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.

(When Jesus woke up… the storm stopped and all was calm. Luke 8:24)

19 He has revealed his words to Jacob,

his decrees and regulations to Israel.

(He reveals His word to us by His Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:10-12)

20 He has not done this for any other nation;

they do not know his regulations.

(We understand when we follow Him. John 14:21)

Praise the Lord!

Priests, Pundits, and Pilate

Turning from the Truth

I want to examine Jesus’ accusers at the time of his crucifixion and what led to it. There was offense given and taken. There was accusation and those who knew what was true and turned from it. There was intention and perception. It is the responses in several people I want to consider.

You may look up the passages by clicking the following scripture links: Luke 22 & Luke 23; Mark 14 & Mark 15; and John 18 & John 19 (The Message).

The priests and the pundits were the first to take offense to what Jesus was teaching. They were so caught up that their authority or what they were professing was being challenged, they sought a way to kill Jesus. They would rather stick to their way of doing things under the law than to walk in a new covenant which would have given them a far better life. Isn’t this how people are today? Many of us will just accept laws or what someone else teaches instead of seeking out the best answer for ourselves through the Holy Spirit. We could be walking in the fulness of God in all aspects of our life, but instead we accept ‘status quo.’ The Holy Spirit is the best counselor or guide for All areas of our lives. Why don’t we go to him before we make any decision, not just spiritual ones?

The priests and pundits were so intent on carrying on the way things had always been, they would not accept Jesus’ teaching or position in their lives. They perceived Jesus as a threat to their system. What changes are we unwilling to make because it isn’t how things have always been, what we are comfortable with, or accustomed to? They started to accuse Jesus of claiming to be the Messiah. They were so spiritually blind they decided he was blaspheming God. Their first accusation held some weight based on what they professed, IF he weren’t the Messiah. The accusation wasn’t strong enough to stand up to the people though, so they started adding exaggerations to justify themselves. They fed off the indignation of each other. The group of them felt emboldened because they had others to go along with them. How do we get more power when we find someone to agree with us, even when we’re wrong?

The priests and pundits couldn’t see the proof right before their eyes. These were people who were leaders in the church, teaching others how to live their lives according to the law, yet they couldn’t see the fulfillment of the very prophecies they taught. How often do we have the truth before us and ignore it? They were hesitant to kill Jesus because they knew the people would be angry, so they sought out people who would go along with their deluded plans. God used their human hearts to carry out his plan. They taught the law but didn’t follow their spiritual side. They used Judas to locate Jesus. They used Pilate to try to convict him and made accusations that Jesus was starting riots when he traveled around teaching and healing people. Pilate sent him to another jurisdiction so he wouldn’t have to deal with the reaction of the people. He was a very wise politician – wise in keeping the blame from himself. Was he innocent though? How do we pass the buck when a hard decision is before us, do we choose an easy way out?

Herod eventually passed the buck back to Pilate, but he was excited to meet Jesus. He had heard of the miracles which had been performed by Jesus and he wanted to be entertained. When Jesus didn’t cooperate, Herod was offended. Jesus would not entertain him, he wouldn’t even answer his questions. Herod starting hurling accusations at Jesus along with the priests and pundits. Herod didn’t even know firsthand but he was willing to go along with the crowd because his authority to make Jesus speak or perform fell short. Herod used his own misguided authority to have his underlings join him in mocking Jesus. They even dressed him in a royal robe and called him names. Herod’s perception was to go along with the crowd. His intention was to put Jesus in his place but he was afraid to convict him. Do we get excited to be entertained? How often do rulers fear the reaction of the crowd and make a decision based on popularity? How often do we? Herod ruled from hearsay, not a firsthand account. He was guilty of not investigating the charges. He was guilty of listening to gossip. He was guilty of seeking entertainment and not the truth. He was guilty of esteeming himself higher than God.

Jesus was once again before Pilate who had listened to the charges and found Jesus was not guilty. He dismissed the charges, saying he couldn’t verify anything Jesus was accused of doing. Pilate knew he had an innocent man before him. “That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.” Luke 23:12 Pilate had a choice to make, he could have released Jesus. He wanted to release Jesus but the crowd who obviously gossiped among themselves had decided to listen to the leaders of the day, the priests and pundits. They followed along blindly with them and asked to have Jesus murdered. Again, Pilate had a choice and decided not to make the decision but gave Jesus to the crowd to be killed. He was guilty of pride, he was guilty of not doing the right thing. Pilate washed his hands because of his guilt but it didn’t remove his irresponsibility or guilt. Pilate followed after corruption. How do we stand up when the choice is tough to do the right thing? Do we go against what we know is truth to appease the desires of others? Pilate’s intention was to free Jesus but he changed his mind due to pressure. Pilate went against his own knowledge to give in to the popular decision. Pilate’s perception was that he had to hand Jesus over to keep his own followers content. Pilate was guilty by association.

Prayer: Father help me to follow after truth, not what makes me comfortable. Help me to make decisions based on your will for my life and not go along with the intent of other’s. Help me to perceive what is noble and correct. Help me to respond to everyone I come in contact with with your Word and stand for what is accurate. Help me not to be offended when others accuse me falsely. I commit my way to you Father. Amen