Aug
28
Written by:
Bob Flynn
8/28/2008 3:07 PM
"The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile." (NLT)
The rite of circumcision was the emblem by which the Jews relationship with Abrahamic covenant was recognized. However, to wear the emblem does not necessarily make you an heir to the promise!
Romans 2:25
"For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision." (NASB)
"For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision." (KJV)
"The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile." (NLT)
"For circumcision has its value if you practice the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision." (NET)
Mathew Henry Concise Commentary: "No forms, ordinances, or notions can profit, without regenerating grace, which will always lead to seeking an interest in the righteousness of God by faith. For he is no more a Christian now, than he was really a Jew of old, who is only one outwardly: neither is that baptism, which is outward in the flesh: but he is the real Christian, who is inwardly a true believer, with an obedient faith. And the true baptism is that of the heart, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Ghost; bringing a spiritual frame of mind, and a willing following of truth in its holy ways. Let us pray that we may be made real Christians, not outwardly, but inwardly; in the heart and spirit, not in the letter; baptized, not with water only, but with the Holy Ghost; and let our praise be, not of men, but of God."
The rite of circumcision was the emblem by which the Jews relationship with Abrahamic covenant was recognized. However, to wear the emblem does not necessarily make you an heir to the promise! As Christians, what emblems might we be relying upon in the same way? Are we depending upon a ritual instead of the relationship? Apathy and arrogance are shipwrecks in the faith that are at opposite sides of the sea of life! The only safe harbor is in Christ Himself!
What a great opportunity to draw near to Christ! Remember Christ's words of encouragement to His disciples midst their understandable confusion:
"'Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in Me. There is more than enough room in My Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with Me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.' 'No, we don't know, Lord,' Thomas said. 'We have no idea where You are going, so how can we know the way?' Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.'" (John 14:1-6 NLT)
There is no way to THE WAY for Jesus Christ is THE WAY! He is the WAY "of holiness" of which Isaiah spoke. He is the "Ancient Way" of which Jeremiah spoke. The onramp is at the foot of the Calvary Cross. The sign beckoning, "Sinner Come Home." There are no metering devices to hinder our entry. The only toll required is "belief!"
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.' Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on Him. For 'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'"
(Romans 10:9-13 NLT)