Topic: Is Your Heart Circumcised?
Bible Reading: Psalm 65-67; Romans 2.
Memory Verse: ”But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Romans 2:29 (KJV).
Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of a human’s genital. It has a number of benefits though a lot of people do it mainly for religious purposes. While the removal or non-removal of the cover skin (foreskin) has not been linked in any way to sexual performance, it has been noted that circumcision has the following benefits for men: easier hygiene for it makes it easier for men to wash their genitals, lowers the risks of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections and penile cancer. It also prevents Penile problems as well.
This is for physical circumcision. Spiritual circumcision is similar as it also means removing the flesh of sin from your heart by your faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, your cloak of sin is removed by Jesus and you become dead to sin as a new Spirit is given to you. You become a new being and your desires are towards God and not the flesh anymore! Thus, it is not physical but spiritual by faith. That is why Romans 2:29 (KJV) says, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
The circumcision of your heart is well captured in Ezekiel 36:26 (KJV), “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Thus you should have your heart seeking things of God, willing to please God always and hate sin in all its ramifications. Like Jesus, you will be compassionate for souls and will like to preach to those who have not given their lives to Christ because you do not want them to perish, no matter what they do to you! That is why the Lord Jesus Christ said to God to forgive those that crucified him! (Luke 23:34 KJV) Similarly, the Bible records the reaction of Stephen concerning those who stoned him to death, “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60 KJV).
Are you waxing cold after your initial circumcision? Are you allowing sin to cover your heart again? Ask for fresh fire of the Holy Spirit to come upon you and renew your love for Christ.
Prayer: Father, please fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit and renew my love for you in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero