There is a factor that is very fundamental in the Christian race for deeper and permanent deliverance. That factor is circumcision of the heart. Apostle Paul called the Christians and the life they are given to live ''the circumcision'' (Phil. 3;3). This is because the believer experiences transformation through the circumcision which is spiritual in the heart. The circumcision was first represented in the physical but its ultimate realty was to be accomplished in the heart. Physical circumcision is the removal of the foreskin of the male private part. Spiritual circumcision is the removal of the fleshly or carnal behaviour of the believer who has experienced new birth (Jer. 4:-4). This kind of circumcision comes when a believer allows the Holy spirit to crucify the flesh , with all its inclination to the cross. The cross is the instrument of spiritual circumcision through the agency of the Holy spirit and by the instrumentality of the word (Gal. 6:12-16). The effect of heart circumcision upon the spiritual and moral life of the believer is revealed as follows:
Deut. 10:16- Circumcision of the heart is a change that removes stiff-neck or stubbornness.
Deut. 30:6- It is a change of heart that results in loving the Lord with all the heart and soul.
Lev. 26:40-42- It is a change of the heart that produces genuine humility and repentance.
Ps. 45:4,7- When the heart is circumcised, it will love the truth, become meek, and love righteousness.
Jer. 4;3-4- Heart circumcision is a personal commitment of breaking up the fallow ground of the heart ( the stony heart) to remove the thorns of moral evi which is inborn and resident in human heart.
Through the circumcision off the heart, we experience a deep penetrating deliverance from the power and dominion of the inborn sin, as well as deliverance from habitual sin. The true and permanent deliverance begins from the spirit and soul, then to the outer man (the body)- Rm. 6:10-14.The spiritual exercise will continually enable us o walk or live after the spirit and no more after the flesh. It is then the following will become evident in us:
We will worship the Lord in spirit and in truth- Worshipping the Lord in the spirit means worshipping Him in the realm and in the power of the Holy Ghost. Worshipping in truth means worshipping Him according to the revealed truth or will of God for the worshipper. The Holy Spirit, by indwelling in us, reveals God in us and also empowers us to respond to Him in true worship and humility of obedience. This is the kind of worshipper the Father is looking for to worship Him (Jn. 4:22-24).
We rejoice and glory in Christ- This means that we greatly rejoice with a triumphant joy, and we take pride in Christ Jesus who is the source of our joy (1 Cor.1:31). This kind of joy and pride are not based on material or natural things, but in Christ Himself. This joy is made full when our prayers are being answered. It is called joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet. 1:8)
And we have no confidence in the flesh- This means we will no longer depend or trust in the things of the flesh , but rather we trust in the things of the spirit which are more real than the things of the flesh. The things of the flesh are those things that feed our carnal mind with pride and lust through earthly lust and material riches. These include our earthly dignity which comes through our race or social class or our moral and religious standing in relation to others. Having no confidence in the flesh means that we no more judge people after the flesh but after the spirit- 1 Sam. 16:6-7.
No comments:
Post a Comment