Confession time…it is a painful process to have your heart circumcised. If you are wanting or willing to remove the debris, the sins, and things that weigh you down from your heart, I promise it will be worth it.

Understanding the background of what being circumcised meant to the Jewish people helps us to see why the many debates, admonitions, and countless times in Scripture Paul has to address this issue. This was not to be a physical and outward concern but a spiritual one. Paul says in Galatians 6: 12-13, the people (some Jewish believers) were trying to force physical circumcision on all the believers, but it was not just about following the rules, it was about making them look superior. In verse 13 the Message Bible reads “they only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side.” Male circumcision was important to the Jews because in the Old testament it was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham. It also meant protection for the Israelites. The practice of circumcision continued into the New Testament. The Jewish believers thought it was the only way to be saved and thus insisted the Gentile believers follow suit.  It was a large part of their identity, history, and culture.

Paul was teaching them that the physical requirement was not as important as the  spiritual requirement of circumcising our hearts to the Lord.

Jeremiah 4:4 the bible reads, “Circumcise yourself to the Lord, circumcise your hearts.” (NIV)

We know this is not physically slicing open our hearts. Sorry it is a gruesome picture to imagine. It is about inward transformation.

Romans 2:29  Paul writes, “but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter (the law).” (NKJV)

What does it mean to circumcise our heart? We cut away pieces and places in our heart that do not belong. We ask God to reveal anything that is not pleasing to him. We make room for God to dwell. Sin hinders what God wants to do in our life. Secrets, lies, ego, busyness, envy, negative thinking are all issues of the heart that need to be cut away. What is something that God has revealed to you that you need to circumcise from your heart and out of your life so that you may hear from Him and live in God’s freedom?

In order for us to love God with all our heart we must allow God to come and circumcise those areas we know need to be removed.

Colossians 2:11 Paul writes, “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with the circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ.”

I love this quote from John Wesley in his sermon titled, “Circumcision of the Heart.”

“Another truth, which naturally follows from what has been said, is, that none shall obtain the honor that cometh of God, unless his heart be circumcised by faith; even a “faith of the operation of God:” Unless, refusing to be any longer led by his senses, appetites, or passions, or even by that blind leader of the blind, so idolized by the world, natural reason, he lives and walks by faith; directs every step, as “seeking Him that is invisible;” “looks not at the things that are seen, which are temporal, but at the things that are not seen, which are eternal;” and governs all his desires, designs, and thoughts, all his actions and conversations, as one who is entered in within the veil, where Jesus sits at the right hand of God.” John Wesley

As God is allowed to circumcise our hearts, it gives Him room to replace the messy parts of our heart with His faith, hope, and love. I used the word allow because that is what we have to do. We need to allow God to reveal what need to be removed. There are many things we hold tightly to, want control over and it is hard to let go. We must pray the scripture found in Psalm 139: 23-24  asking God, search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.

I have found this isn’t a an easy thing to ask. He always reveals something to me. However, because it is Him who works in me I can release it. We miss God’s call to live abundantly if our hearts are filled with uncircumcised transgression and offenses.

Lord, I ask you today to search my heart. You know me best and you know what is best. There are some things I may not realize until I ask you to reveal what is holding me back from true freedom. You are my deliverer. You are the one who cares and loves me so deeply. This is the reason you want me to have a clean heart. I will make room for you today. Thank you, Lord, that you are gentle and kind. Amen