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“When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. It was a spiritual procedure…the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Colossians 2:11-12

In Genesis 17, God gives Abram a conditional “IF.” If you walk faithfully and blameless with Me then “I WILL,” which is a promise from God. God makes 6 promises to Abraham (vs.4-8). So…what is Abraham’s part of the agreement? Circumcise every male, whether born or bought. The foreskins of all males must be cut off as an outward physical sign the covenant is excepted. God’s covenant with His people was  paramount  as illustrated in Exodus 4. As Moses, his wife and two sons journeyed towards Egypt to set Israel free, the Lord confronted Moses with death because one of his sons was not circumcised. Zipporah, Moses’ wife, circumcised her son throwing the foreskin at Moses’ feet in disgust. After doing so, the Lord spared Moses’ life. (vs. 24-26).

Fast forward to the birth, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus became the covenant promise. All prior blood sacrifices whether by circumcision or the blood of bulls and goats was replaced by the blood of the  lamb…Jesus! No longer was the law of Moses needed for atonement. In Galatians 5, Paul tells the Galatians not to count on circumcision to make us right with Christ. For when we place our faith in Jesus  it makes no difference to God whether we are circumcised or not. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.

In Colossians 2, we see hope and freedom. There’s a rescue and His name is Jesus! Through the ages, Christ followers go from physical procedures and sacrifices done by man’s hand to a spiritual encounter of man’s heart. In physical circumcision, skin is cut off. In spiritual circumcision, our sinful nature is cut off. Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross to the empty tomb, we can be raised to new life, freed from the power of sin and live for eternity with the One who made it all possible…Jesus. Nothing but Jesus!

“Father, through Your son there are no do’s and no don’ts. We have been rescued and renewed because Jesus paid it all.”

For His Glory

Kim Lacey Schock (www.kimlaceyschock.com)
TRBC Women’s Life