#heart — God Calls You By Name — Founded on the Bible

Genesis 17:9-14 NLT

Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised. You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased. All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant. Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.”

What can we learn about circumcision?

Unseen

Circumcision takes place in a private area. Enough said.

Distinction

Circumcised males in covenant with God live a lifestyle that is radically contrary to the cultures that surround them. Even though circumcision is located privately, everyone around them are aware of their high moral standard and why they adhere to that standard.

Fertility

Circumcision takes place in the area of fertility. His seed is dedicated to God. All of the children will be raised to be devoted to God.

Worship

Circumcision is an act of worship. A circumcised man would always be reminded of his covenant every time he performed sexual intercourse. His body is a temple and all of his activities are dedicated to God.

500 years later, God tells Moses about an even deeper relationship and covenant.

Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV

The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.

What happens when the heart is circumcised?

Hidden

The Lord’s light illuminates the human spirit exposing every hidden motive (Proverbs 20:27). Our motivation and intentions should be pure and holy.

Distinction

A circumcised heart lives a lifestyle that is in conformity to God’s Word. Sin becomes repulsive and we lose desire to participate in its practices. It takes courage, faith, and dedication to uphold godly standards. Our lifestyles should obviously contrast popular culture.

Fertility

In Acts 2, on the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the good news of the Gospel to the crowd and those words cut (circumcised) their hearts. 3000 people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior that day. Ever since, many have accepted Jesus into their hearts and have become children of God. Our lives should reproduce followers of Jesus.

Worship

Outwardly, we look just like any ordinary person. But, because our heart is circumcised, we are very conscious of God’s ever abiding presence. We willingly and joyfully please God with our thoughts, words, and deeds as an act of worship and adoration.

Yes, circumcision happens in the most private area of the soul. But, its mark is obvious to everyone. No one would doubt that circumcision has taken place. It truly is a mark that is hidden in plain sight.

Lets Pray:

Father,

Circumcise my heart, the places that are hidden and where no one can see. Give me the grace to reproduce spiritual children into the Kingdom of God. I hope that those who are familiar with me are aware that I live by Your moral standards because of my love and commitment to You. I pray that my witness will reproduce spiritual children who are devoted to You. My body is a temple and all of my activities are dedicated to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.