◄ What Does Colossians 2:11 Mean? ►

Circumcision, like the sacrificing of animals, was given by God to Abraham and Israel as a sign between the Lord and His chosen people that they were to be a family that were separated from the world – a race that was sanctified unto the Lord – a peculiar people - an adopted son of God who trusted the Almighty Yahweh and not the world systems.

Though circumcision was initially a physical mark that sealed the covenant promise between God and His people, it also became a spiritual requirement for all who would truly separate their hearts from yearning after the world, for in the Mosaic law the Israelites were also told to circumcise their hearts to demonstrate with their lives that they were in covenant union with God, by obeying His voice and renounce the evils of the world. God told them, "If you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession." Circumcision, like the whole Law of Moses, was given by God as a special sign between them and God and to point Israel to their coming Messiah.

Christians are also to circumcise their hearts by clinging fast in faith to their Father in heaven and being separated from worldly desires, the lusts of the flesh, and pride in our own self-help skills. Christians also are to be sanctified unto the Lord, adopted sons who trust in the Word of our Saviour and Lord: "For we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

And like the people of Israel, we are to circumcise our hearts. Oh! this is not a call for physical circumcision for the Lord Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Law for all His people, but we are to be circumcised "with a circumcision not performed by human hands, but by the removal of the fleshly body, that is, through the circumcision done by Christ."

It is Christ Himself that causes our hearts to be separated from the world and be righteous before Him, as He lives in us and as we submit to His leading. Christ is the Mediator of a New and better Covenant - a covenant that was sealed by His blood sacrifice - a sacrifice that was made once and for all.

Trusting in Christ's sacrifice alone is all that is needed as the sign between God and us that we are His people and He is our God. Let our lives demonstrate that we are a separated family – a chosen people – a new creation sanctified unto the Lord.

Praise God, for the day is coming soon when God will re-establish His nation Israel as His chosen inheritance – when the whole nation will be sanctified unto the Lord.

Loving Father, thank You that I am Your child. I want to offer my life as a living sacrifice unto You, knowing that only in Christ, can I be separated from this world and that as I live in Him, so He will live through me. In His name I pray, AMEN.