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Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Cut It Out
Next up on our
list of topics is the doctrine of circumcision. So gentlemen, if we are
going to walk in the same footsteps as our Lord, we to need to step up to
the plate, bite the bullet, and take one for the home team, right? Suddenly the spiritual implication and
the symbolism of circumcision is starting to look better already.
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice
in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (KJV)
Whew, thank God
there was a way around that one. This God stuff was starting to get me
nervous. Actually circumcision in the Old Testament was a commandment of
God, and was to be accomplished within the first eight days after birth.
The foreskin around the male reproductive organ was cut away, so that
nothing would build up around it like dirt or bacteria that could cause
infection or disease.
When you think
about it spiritually, circumcision of the heart, which can also be
considered a reproductive organ, gives life to the new creation within us,
as well as others around us. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaks, which hopefully are words of spirit and life.
Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of
your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. (KJV)
1Corinthians
7:18-19 Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become
uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
(19) Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping
of the commandments of God. (KJV)
Outward rituals, keeping of the old laws are useless
and are nothing but a waste of time. Only the spiritual circumcision is
vital, and it is the only thing that will enable you to do those things
that are pleasing in Gods sight. It’s being doers of the Word and not
hearers only that is important to God nothing else.
Galatians 5:4-6
Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by
the law; ye are fallen from grace. (5) For we through the Spirit wait for
the hope of righteousness by faith. (6) For in Jesus Christ neither
circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which
worketh by love. (KJV)
All the ism’s and schism’s that arise in the body of
Christ, all the fussing and fighting is because they miss the simplicity of
the gospel. Adding all these rules and rituals that Father said are done
away. The just shall live by faith, a faith that works by a love for a God
that first loved us; leaving us simple spiritual instructions to those that
have their spiritual senses exercised and dialed into the message delivered
by Christ.
Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision
availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. (KJV)
Again what is of vital importance to God who knows no
man after the flesh but after the spirit, is the new creature which has
taken up residence within you.
Are you feeding yourself the truth, or trying to get by
on old unhealthy recycled doctrines?
Galatians 6:12-13
As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to
be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of
Christ. (13) For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law;
but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
(KJV)
A lot of these rituals continue because man caves into
peer pressure, rather than taking a stand for the truth. They try and
appease others rather than God. And instead of building up the people, they
are more interested in building their numbers and religious institutions.
These men who are trying to force you to let yourself be circumcised simply
want to make a fine outward show, only to keep you from being persecuted
for the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the very men who let
themselves be circumcised do not themselves observe the law. They simply want you to let yourself be
circumcised, so that they can boast of you as a member of their party.
Galatians 3:2-4 This only would I learn of you,
Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
(3) Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect
by the flesh? (4) Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in
vain. (KJV)
Pretty obvious what realm the Lord operates in, and
where He expects us to as well. Are you in the zone?
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