Category Archives: Circumcision

Bible, Circumcision, Following, Privileges, Righteousness, Scripture

FOLLOW HIS STEPS

ROMANS 4:12

“and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.”

“Membership has its privileges.” You may have heard that expression made popular by American Express back in the late 1980’s. I have an American Express card. One of the privileges of that card is that I can earn SkyMiles with Delta every time I use it. I also get other privileges each year just for having it. But I have to keep my account active to enjoy those privileges. My privileges depend on me doing something.

That is not the case with our membership in God’s family. Paul has been laying out the case for that for a while now in Romans. Today’s verse is kind of part two of a thought which began in verse 11. Not only is Abraham the father of the uncircumcised believers, but he is also the father of the believing Jews. The believing Jews’ allegiance to Abraham is not wrapped up in their physical circumcision. It is directly linked to Abraham’s circumcised heart.

APPLICATION

Matthew Poole explains verses 11 and 12 so well. I thought I would include his words in their entirety. “The former verse (verse 11) tells you he was the father of the believing Gentiles, for the covenant was made with him, for all his believing seed, when he was uncircumcised, which shows, that righteousness is and may be imputed to them also without any outward circumcision: and then he is the father of the believing Jews; especially of as many of them as unto circumcision do add the imitation of his faith; who, besides circumcision, which they derived from him, do also transcribe his divine copy, and follow his example of faith and obedience; who leave their sins, as he did his country; who believe all God’s promises, and adhere to him against all temptations to the contrary.”

The childhood bible song, “Father Abraham,” just popped in my head. Remember that? It is a fun song to sing with little children as it gets them up and moving and it’s kind of silly. “Father Abraham had seven sons, seven sons had Father Abraham. And I am one of them and so are you, so let’s just praise the Lord, right arm…” You would then proceed to sing that over and over while adding body parts and motions.

My point? The point of that song is about praising the Lord! It still is today. Yes, Abraham is my spiritual ancestral father of faith. The Bible tells me that, but my hope does not lie in Abraham or anything he did. My hopes lies in Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. His righteousness is given to me, even though I have done nothing to deserve it. Aren’t you grateful today for the faith of our fathers? But aren’t you more grateful for your faith in Jesus?  Bear that faith well today.

O Lord, I praise You just as the song says. Even though the world around me is in chaos, I will praise Your name.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Children, Circumcision, Grace, Grandchildren, Justification, Justified, Scripture, Works

NOT BY WORKS

ROMANS 4:10

“How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;”

I love my children and grandchildren – period. Nothing they have done has caused that love. They are loved because they are my family. There is nothing they can ever do that will change that love. Once they were birthed into my family they were forever loved. Can you relate? I cannot imagine my life without them. Even if disagreements occur, even if separation occurs, I will never stop loving them.

Paul states it clearly in today’s verse that nothing Abraham did resulted in his justification. He states the facts of the case from Genesis. This is presented so succinctly in the following: “…hence it clearly appears that circumcision could not be the cause of his justification, since it followed it; and if Abraham when uncircumcised was a justified person, as it is certain he was, why may not uncircumcised Gentiles be justified also? and especially when it is observed, that the covenant made with Abraham when uncircumcised, included the Gentiles;” (Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible)

APPLICATION

God made a promise to Abraham in Genesis 15 to multiply his seed and give him a land. Fourteen years later God cut covenant with him through circumcision. Fourteen years! If God had required circumcision in order to be justified, He would have told Abraham to do it immediately upon the promise He made. Why did God do it the way He did it? Why wait fourteen years and then required circumcision? I think (and this is just my opinion) that God wanted to separate justification by faith from any works. He still does today.

Think about it. When you come to faith, you don’t have to do a bunch of stuff to get saved. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,…” Receive and believe – that’s it. Now, once you are saved, God expects obedience. He does expect us to follow through on baptism as a sign of our salvation. He does expect us to give generously to invest in His kingdom’s work. He does expect us to serve Him by serving others.

But all those things I just mentioned are post-salvation, not pre-salvation. Just like Abraham was saved (justified) before circumcision, we are saved before any acts or works of faith. I pray you are not trying to achieve your salvation. You will never be able to do that. Receive and believe. Then God will give you Holy Spirit Who will guide you into righteous living. Amen!

Lord God, I am so thankful that I did not have to do something to be called Your child. I came in simple faith, believing in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Holy Spirit, Indwelling, Law, Obedience, Scripture

IT’S NOT THE OUTSIDE THAT MATTERS

ROMANS 2:25

“For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision.” 

So many Christians work and work and work to try to achieve some measure of grace from God. If they do this or that; or if they don’t do this or that then they have accomplished something. Wrong! I knew a guy in seminary who refused to go out to eat on Sundays because it forced someone to work to prepare his food and serve him. I don’t criticize his devotion to resting on Sunday, but nothing he did or didn’t do would change the fact that those people were still going to work. Maybe they even had to in order to keep their jobs.

Paul dives into a subject that was well…tender to the Jews. They took pride in the fact that their physical circumcision set them apart from the pagans. This was a law that began with Abraham and was to be a distinguishing mark of their covenant with God to obey His commandments. So, just being circumcised didn’t do a thing for the Jews. Paul says if they violated the Law, it meant nothing.

APPLICATION

Albert Barnes gives these remarks about this verse. “No external advantages, no name, or rite, or ceremony will save you. God requires the obedience of the heart and of the life. Where there is a disposition to render that, there is an advantage in possessing the external means of grace. Where that is missing, no rite or profession can save.” No external advantage. You can’t cut your hair short enough. You can’t wear your dress long enough.

What are you doing to try to gain God’s love? Most of us think if we do certain things, we will be more spiritual. What makes us spiritual? It’s the Spirit of God in us. When we come to Christ and receive His gift of grace, He sends the Holy Spirit to dwell within you. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul tells us, “19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.”

Did you catch that? Your body is holy not because of something you do or don’t do. You are holy because God’s very Spirit dwells within you. Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! As the old preacher said, “That’s shouting ground stuff!” Are you resting in the Spirit instead of trying to achieve something for God? He loves you, no matter what you do or don’t do. Yes, we should all try to obey His commands. But God loves you – period!

Father, I am so thankful that I can rest in knowing my salvation does not depend on one single thing I do or don’t do. It rests in Jesus.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Relationships, Salvation, Scripture

THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION

COLOSSIANS 2:11

“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,”

Circumcision isn’t exactly dinner talk, is it? It’s a routine procedure done on most male babies. I do not need to go into detail about what is done. I am sure you know about it. The decision to circumcise a baby boy belongs with the parents. They decide whether or not to allow the doctor to perform the procedure. The baby has no say in the matter. If they did, they would all probably say “no.” lol

Paul is not talking a physical circumcision for believers but is using it as an analogy. The Greek world was well aware of the act of circumcision, even though many of them had not been circumcised. The Jewish ritual of circumcision was an external mark on all male Jewish babies to signify the covenant they had with Jehovah. Jesus fulfilled all our covenant requirements, negating the necessity for a physical circumcision. Instead, our mark of covenant is on our hearts.

APPLICATION

In Romans 2:25-29, Paul gives a more complete discussion of this topic. “25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

I know that was a lengthy passage but hang in there. There is nothing we can do outwardly to “cut covenant” with Christ. Our covenant is of the heart. Our surrender and our identification with Christ is internal and eternal. No one can command you to do a specific act to guarantee your salvation. It is strictly through Jesus.

Whether you are male or female, circumcised or uncircumcised, your salvation is totally dependent on your personal relationship with Jesus. Make sure your heart has the mark of spiritual circumcision which Jesus places there upon your salvation. That is the true circumcision.

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart and making me Yours.

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Accursed, Bible, Captivity, Circumcision, Darkness, Deceit, Decisions, Evil, Flesh, Light, Rescue, Scripture

ONCE UPON A TIME

EPHESIANS 2:11

“Therefore, remember that previously you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—”

“Once upon a time” has been used to start a lot of stories. Some of those stories ended well and some didn’t. But those first four words told you that this happened in the past. It doesn’t specify exactly, but you know it was back then and not now. Isn’t it sad, though, that so many people live back then in the “once upon a time” period? They are slaves to their past.

Paul reminds the Ephesians today that “once upon a time” they were just considered the “Uncircumcision.” They were looked down upon by the “Circumcision,” the Jews. They were pagans who had no hope of redemption. That little Greek word, pote, is the difference. It means “at one time or other, at some time, formerly.” One definition given is “in the old time.” I like that one. Paul tells the Ephesians (and us) that that was then. Things have changed though because of Christ.

APPLICATION

Think back to how you were before Christ. Aren’t you glad He has changed you? Paul says a few things about our former life in this letter to the Ephesians. In Ephesians 2:2 we saw that we “formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” In 2:3 we “all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” We walked. We lived.

Paul goes on in verse 13 (which we will see in a couple of days) to say we “formerly were far off.” And Paul uses pote one more time in this letter in 5:8 and says we “were formerly darkness.” Look at what we were: we walked in sin, we lived in sin, we were far off in sin, we were in darkness in sin. Sin had that grip on us.

But praise be to God, He has rescued us from this former life. He has given us a new life in Christ. We walk differently. We live differently. We are near to Christ and are in the light. Wow, what a change! Is that you today? Are you brand new in Jesus?

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my life.

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Accountability, Bible, Choices, Circumcision, Commands, Disciples, Following, God's Will, Heart, Holiness, Law, Scripture

FOLLOW THE RULE

GALATIANS 6:16

“And all who will follow this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”

Are you a rule follower? I guess I am for the most part. I have to admit, I don’t always drive the speed limit. Other than that, I guess I follow the rules of law in our country. I pay my taxes. I don’t commit any crimes. I am just so glad I don’t have to worry about following a long list of rules set down by God. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do follow His commands set forth in Scripture as best I can. But I am free in Christ.

So, what is Paul talking about here – “all who will follow this rule”? What rule? The Greek word translated as “rule” is kanon, which means a measuring rod, usually a cane or reed used as a standard of measure. Paul expected believers to keep themselves holy. That was the measuring rod. It wasn’t about keeping the law. It was about obeying God. What is God’s standard? Holiness. Paul says when we do that, we will have peace and mercy and prove ourselves as the true Israel of God.

APPLICATION

Psalm 51:16-17 gives us a clear picture of what God expects of us. “16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, God, You will not despise.” This is the “rule” Paul is referring to. God isn’t concerned with gathering a bunch of rule followers. He wants sincere followers of Christ.

Paul probably had the words of Jeremiah ringing through his mind as he talked about circumcision and rules. Jeremiah 4:4 says, “‘Circumcise yourselves to the LORD and remove the foreskins of your hearts, men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,’” It wasn’t about the physical. It was all about the spiritual. Our hearts need to bear the mark of Jesus. We don’t need to bear a physical mark on our bodies.

So, let me ask you again, are you a rule follower? I pray you are. I pray you are following the rule set forth by God. Turn to His Son, Jesus, and let Him give you a new heart. If you have done that, then walk in Him. Surrender your heart to Him afresh each and every day. Amen? Amen!

Lord, I am thankful I have been considered worthy to be one of Your followers because of Jesus.

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Admonished, Battles, Bible, Circumcision, Enemies, Grace, Law, Obedience, Scripture

NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS

GALATIANS 5:12

“I wish that those who are troubling you would even emasculate themselves.”

There are times when we are dealing with difficult people that we wish they could see themselves as we see them. We wish they could feel the hurt they are inflicting on us or others. I am not saying that is a right or godly thought. I am just speaking the truth. Most of us have felt that way before. If they could just get a dose of their own medicine. Am I right?

Well, I can’t say that I can read the mind of Paul, but it almost seems he is feeling this way in today’s verse towards those people who were trying to put the Galatians back under the law, especially the law of circumcision. Scholars debate the meaning of this verse widely. Some say it says just what you think it says, that Paul wishes those people would castrate themselves. In other words, that they would go beyond circumcision and mutilate themselves. Other scholars say the Greek words here imply that he wishes they would separate themselves from the church and go their own way. Whatever Paul meant, he wanted these Judaizers out of the life of these Galatians because they were causing trouble.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our life. Thanks for the challenge, lol. In Book 4 of the Every Man A Warrior curriculum, we deal with Purity. In fact, book 4 is entitled Every Man A Pure Warrior. One of the skills we practice in that book is amputation. Yep, amputation. We teach men to cut off those things in their life that are leading them in an impure lifestyle. That may include cutting people out of your life who lead you astray. I like what Paul says in Philippians 3:2, “Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;” Even in Philippi Paul was dealing with these people who wanted to put others up under this false teaching.

Anyone who wants to put you under the law needs to be held at arm’s length. Do not let them influence you in your spiritual journey. Remember, Paul has been preaching freedom through this entire letter to the Galatians. Don’t think those people only lived back then. We have people just like that today who are members of our churches. They have their own list of do’s and don’ts for you to adhere to.

So, what do you do? How do you live in such an environment. You saturate yourself with the Word of God. You let it direct you. All we need is Jesus. He gives us everything we need. You need not add one thing to what He requires – acceptance of His grace. Amen? Now go live free!

Lord, forgive me when I put things on myself that I think make me more spiritual. All I need is You.  

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Allegiance, Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Faith, God's Will, Grace, Heart, Rescue, Salvation, Scripture

ALL OR NOTHING

GALATIANS 5:3

“And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is obligated to keep the whole Law.”

A common cheer or motto among team sports is “All for one and one for all.” That implies that if one falls, they all fall. It means they must all stick together. The team has to stick together and is stronger together than separate. That is a good thing. However, our verse today is talking about a negative side of that “all for one” mentality.

Circumcision was the distinguishing mark of Jews. Since Abraham, this has been done to the male children. It was and still is a physical sign of allegiance to God for them. This rite was being forced on the Gentile believers in Galatia. There were Jewish believers who believed that they had to continue to follow the Mosaic laws, which included circumcision. Paul correctly points out that if they were going to keep this one law, they should keep them all (which was and still is impossible). Circumcision was not bad. It just did not prove their faith.

APPLICATION

What are the things in your life that you do to show you are saved? I bet it is that big Bible you carry to church each Sunday. Perhaps it is the way you wear your hair or refrain from alcohol. You wear these as a badge of honor to prove your faith. Like circumcision, there is nothing wrong with a big Bible, short hair or not drinking, but none of those things will save you.

Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 22:25-26, “‘25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may also become clean.’” This still applies to us today. It’s not about what the world sees we are doing. It’s all about our heart. We cannot keep all the laws and we cannot keep all the traditions. We will fail.

I have met lots of people who have said, “I could never become a Christian. I am too bad. God could never forgive me.” That is exactly why they need a Savior. There is nothing we can do to gain His favor. We can’t be good enough. That is what Paul is saying to the Galatians, and that is what is still true for us today. All we need is Jesus. Let’s make our motto “All to One.” How about that?

O Lord, thank You for rescuing me and always being there for me. I give You my all.

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Abiding, Bible, Circumcision, Commands, Godliness, Heart, Scripture

IT’S NOT ABOUT THE OUTWARD

GALATIANS 2:3

“But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.”

Okay, I am not going to make this blog all about circumcision. First of all, it’s kind of an uncomfortable topic. Am I right? I didn’t have a voice in that personally. It happened when I was a baby. It is done outside of Judaism simply as a health and hygiene choice. It meant a lot more in the Jewish faith.

Why does Paul even bring this up? Because it was important for the Gentile churches he was writing to understand that this rite of circumcision was not required of them. Titus, being a Greek, was not forced to get circumcised when he accompanied Paul back to Jerusalem. The leaders of the church, all Jews at the time, did not believe that was necessary for salvation.

APPLICATION

What are you being coerced to do to be a “better” Christian? Is that why you attend church every time the doors are open? Do you feel compelled to go to that ladies’ luncheon or to the men’s breakfast to appear engaged in the church? There is nothing you can do on the outside to improve your life spiritually. You don’t earn brownie points by doing certain things or not doing others.

Romans 2:28-29 say it well, “28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.” It is totally an inward thing. Paul knew Titus loved the Lord his God. He didn’t need to prove that by getting circumcised.

So many religions are based on works and earning your way into a higher plain or nirvana or whatever they call it. You can rest in the fact that as a believer you are saved through the precious blood of the Lamb and nothing else. Yes, we need to obey His commands. Yes, we should strive to live holy. Just don’t fall into that trap of having to do. Just be!

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart, for sealing me with Your Spirit.

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