"Circumcision Of The Heart."

Physical circumcision isn't necessary now a days in covenanting with God, but Heart Circumcision is. 

New Testament heart circumcision Is the equivalent to Old Testament flesh circumcision in that; a person can do very little to clean himself up, he needs help. 

 

It's like what with our hearts. We can't clean our own hearts. God is the only one who can truly get it clean, Scott free. 

He knows that human effort alone can not succeed against flesh and his help Is constantly being offered along with his strength to help us face the challenges along the process of our cleansing. 

"God will circumcise your heart."

He will do what can't be done in our strength. All that's needed is a willingness to change. He will do NOTHING without a persons consent. 

Through Christ, we are dead to sin. (Ex/ in our ANGER we don't have to sin. The scriptures teach that we can be angry and not sin) 

The men / women who are circumcised are not only different people, but a totally "NEW" creation (2 COR 5:17).

A person who experienced true heart circumcision crucifies the flesh. (Phil. 3:3) (Gal. 5:24) . 

(Separation from World)

Gods process of preparing a person for Himself requires the removal from all that's contrary to his nature. SEPARATION, especially from the worlds influences, doesn't mean ISOLATION. We are directed by Jesus to pay taxes & always submit to human government for His sake (Matt. 22:21, 15-22). 

And we are to pray for those who rule over us (1 peter 2:15) . Even Jesus hung out with tax collectors and sinners and even helped a Samaritan woman living in sin. 

[CONFESSION] is owning up to the problem, but [REPENTANCE] is walking away from it . God wants you to walk away from sin! God recognizes trouble that we have with sin; therefore he continues to make his grace available (& sufficient) . 

Generally:

It's easy to tell the difference between someone who's wrestling with sin and wants to do better V.S. The person who is rebelling against God & His word. In most cases attitude defines the difference. Ex/ the brother - or sister- who keeps messing up but cries out from the heart for help his worlds apart from the person who constantly tries to justify his or her sin. 

Should we continue to love those living in sin? Of course, but we should make it known to them that we won't share the close fellowship that belongs to someone walking in light, according To scripture. They need to know that we will not listen to the lie that we NEED I forgive when no real confession takes place! 

 Does this mean we shun them, as some cultures do? No ! We pray they return to right fellowship with God, and make ourselves available to minister truth to them in Love when the opportunity arises. 

-love, 

EP