Circumcision

Circumcision

“How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised . . . .” Rom. 4:10-11.

The promise to Abraham was that he would receive a son who would come from his own body and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. This appeared to be impossible to Abraham, but he believed God would do it, and God reckoned it to him for righteousness. Gen. 15:4-6. Consequently, God gave him the sign of circumcision as a seal that the promise would be fulfilled.

God could not have fulfilled His promise to Abraham if Abraham had not accepted that seal and entered into the covenant. If he had not been separated from the nations, his offspring would have become assimilated with the people among whom they lived. The seventy souls that went to Egypt and grew to be a great nation during their four hundred years’ sojourn there and then left again according to God’s command, went there as circumcised.

This is written for our example. We hear God’s promises to us as ungodly and uncircumcised. When we hear the gospel that Jesus can save us and transform us into a new creation so that righteousness can come from our own body, we receive faith for it. But we, too, must receive the seal of circumcision if it is to be fulfilled in us. This is the circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit. Rom. 2:28-29.

Jesus explains circumcision as follows: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” V. 33.

The promises cannot be fulfilled in us without this seal of circumcision. God could have His way with Abraham only when he went out from his people and his land. This is the faith of Abraham. It is the same for us.

“But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13.

We have been chosen. “Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.” Heb. 13:13. There are many religious groups. They all speak about an imputed righteousness, but they don’t believe in the promise to Abraham that he would receive a son from his own body. Neither do they believe in transformation in Christ so that the virtues of Christ would come from their own bodies, which is personal righteousness. We must go out from all those who have the appearance of godliness but who deny its power. 2 Tim. 3:5.

The church is built up outside the camp under the seal of circumcision where Abraham’s faith has rules and the promises are being fulfilled without “alliances” and so-called “tolerance.”