1 CHRONICLES 19:1-21:30
ROMANS 2:25-3:8
PSALM 11:1-7
PROVERBS 19:10-12
Romans 2:28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Or a person is not a Christian who is one only outwardly, nor is baptism merely outward and physical. What we say and what we do is not the only thing that matters. Anyone can say and do all kinds of right kind and helpful things. Be kind, generous, serve in a church and community, even talk about God all the time. That is no different than the Jews who follow the "law". That is a choice, that is action, but none of it matters if our hearts are not surrendered to Christ FIRST. Circumcision as done to an infant. I see this kind of like a parent's dedication of a child to the Lord or an infant baptism where the parents promise to raise and child in the church and teach them about God. Those things in no way guarantees that a child will grow up and follow Jesus. Each person needs to make that choice for themselves and when they do believe, they should repent and be baptized. I believe that even if you received an infant baptism when you come to a place of belief and repentance of your own choice not that of your parent's instruction then you should receive a believer's baptism. Circumcision involves removing a part of something. The covenant of circumcision involved the removing of the foreskin as an act of obedience to God. The baptism of a believer represents your surrender of your old self where your sin is removed. You are washed clean and becoming a new creation in Christ. The circumcision of your heart happens when you make that choice and give up your life and will to the Lord. The result of that surrender should result in a desire to please God which shows up as outward obedience because it is led by the Spirit of God. And no matter how good that may look to other people their acclaim and praise mean nothing because the only praise that matters is from God. Which if your heart has been circumcised and you have been truly saved you will hear the praise.
I know that all I want to hear when I stand before the judgement seat of God is "Well done, good and faithful servant".
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