Circumcision of the Heart

Most people think that the concept of "circumcision of the heart" is a purely New Testament idea. In fact, for years I have been guilty of thinking that myself. Jeremiah 4:4 shows us differently. I have known for a long time that what God desired in the Old Testament was more than mere rituals yet I did not know that He was specific about the concept of a circumcised heart. To some this may not seem like a big deal but I think that is because we are so far separated from the time and culture of the Israelites.

For the Israelites circumcision was the sign of their special covenant with God. It is was separated them from the cultures around them It became so important to them that an intense debate arose in the early church as to whether or not new Christians had to become circumcised. Eventually this debate was settled and Paul addresses the issue in Romans 2:28-29. Here he asserts that it was never really about the outward circumcision and more about the focus of the heart. So why does all of this matter?

First, it further shows the continuity of Scripture. Many, including myself, have struggleed with seeing how the two testaments present a consistent and uniform picture of God. On a surface level they seem to present two different gods. The Old Testament seems to present a God who judges with great severity while the New Testament presents a god who shows nothing but grace, compassion and forgiveness. A further study of the Bible shows this perception to be untrue. This issue of circumcision once again shows us how the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are the same and that He is consistent in how He deals with humanity.

Second, this shows us that gentiles have always been a part of God's plan. Yes there is a focus on the Jew in the Old Testament and a focus on the Gentile in the New Testament but neither is ignore in either Testament. God has always had a heart for all of mankind. His desire was Israel (His relationship with them) to be an avenue through which all would come to worship Him as the one true God. Sadly, the Israelites never fully appreciated this part of their relationship with God. They saw it more in terms of how it could benefit them and not how it could benefit others. Christians have many times fallen into this same trap. We see how God can help us and provide for us and we forget how God desires to bless others especially those outside of the body of Christ.

So how is your heart today? Has it been circumcised? Have you allowed yourself to enter into that relationship with God that will define and impact all other relationships? If not why not? If you have, are you fully submitting to His will? Are you doing all that you can to allow God to use you to change the lives of others?