God’s Grace and peace to you on this 27th day of June in the Year of our Lord 2023. I wanted to share something that the Lord showed me while reading Romans 4. I have read these verses before, but they really jumped out at me yesterday, illuminated by the Holy spirit. 🕊️ Abraham’s faith began while he was UNCIRCUMCISED. Faith is a gift from God. 🎁 (Ephesians 2:8)
Romans 4:9: Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, “Faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness.” 10 How then was it credited? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised;
11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,
12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision (JEWS), but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised (GENTILE).
In the Old Testament, physical circumcision was a sign of the Covenant between God and Israel. Physical circumcision is a type or shadow of the spiritual circumcision that takes place when a person puts their faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ.
- Physical circumcision is a sign that a Jewish person is in the Mosaic Covenant with YHWH.
- Spiritual circumcision (circumcision of the heart) is a sign that a person is in the New Covenant with YHWH/JESUS CHRIST.
You can tell when a person has undergone “spiritual circumcision” because they walk in love with a pure heart that has been separated and changed by God’s Holy Spirit through Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ. This is the mark of a mature Christian.
However, Romans 4 tells us that Abraham BELIEVED GOD (FAITH) without being circumcised. This is pointing to the time when Gentiles would one day be called into Covenant with God through FAITH by way of the NEW COVENANT (JESUS CHRIST).
But there is more here (Romans 4) for us to notice. We come to FAITH while we are “yet sinners”. This was the thief on the Cross who was justified (made righteous) by simple belief in Jesus Christ. He had no time allow his heart to be circumcised because he was being crucified. However, legally, the thief was saved and justified (made righteous) right then and there because of his FAITH in Jesus Christ.
Luke 23:42: And he (the thief on the cross) was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” 43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief on the Cross who had not had his heart transformed (he was SPIRITUALLY UNCIRCUMCISED) recognized that Jesus Christ IS God. At that very moment, the thief put his TRUST in Jesus Christ, FULLY BELIEVING that Jesus Christ had the POWER to SAVE him and bring him into the PROMISED LAND of Heaven/kingdom of God.
Romans 5:6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Similarly, when Abraham, WHILE STILL UNCIRCUMCISED, heard the word of the Lord, he put his complete faith and trust in the Lord (YHWH), FULLY BELIEVING that YHWH would bring him into the PROMISED LAND of Canaan.
A little background on where Abraham came from…..
Abraham grew up a pagan, living in the city of Ur of the Chaldeans in ancient Mesopotamia. Abraham’s father Terah was pagan and had many idols. This city would have been considered “civilized” and “modern” to the pagan world. Pagans are typically polytheistic, meaning they worship many “gods”. Because we know that there is only One True God who exists as Father/Son/Holy Spirit, pagans are actually worshipping fallen angels and demons. 😈
Pagans have NO RELATIONSHIP with the One True God (Father YHWH/Son JESUS CHRIST/Holy Spirit) which means that Abram (This was Abraham’s name before being RENAMED ABRAHAM BY YHWH) had no relationship with God (YHWH/JESUS CHRIST/HOLY SPIRIT). He was UNCIRCUMCISED and raised in a pagan family.
Abraham was CALLED by God while he was still an uncircumcised pagan
God was going to call Abraham, a man who had been raised by a pagan father in a pagan world, to begin the work of calling all the pagan nations back to HIMSELF. Why did God (YHWH) choose Abraham?
The bible does not explicitly say WHY God chose Abraham. Bible scholars believe that there was no merit on Abraham’s part for being chosen by God, but simply it was God’s sovereign Will to do so. My thought is that God KNEW something about Abraham’s HEART 💖that made him the perfect choice. In Christianity, this is called PREVENIENT GRACE or IRRISISTABLE GRACE.
Romans 4 tells us that Abraham’s FAITH and BELIEF in God’s promises happened before he was circumcised. While Abraham was still a sinner, he BELIEVED GOD (YHWH) and it was CREDITED to him as RIGHTEOUSNESS.
What is faith?
Faith is more than just intellectual assent (believing the facts about something). Intellectual assent occurs when we believe the facts about something, but they have no bearing on our life or our heart.
Historically, Christianity has answered the question (what is faith?) by distinguishing three main elements that together comprise saving faith. Generally speaking, three Latin words have been used to identify these three elements of saving faith:
- notitia, or “knowledge”;
- assensus, or “assent”; and
- fiducia, or “trust.”
Notitia (knowledge) is the first element of saving faith, which refers to the content of faith. For example, to believe in Jesus Christ you must know something about Him.
- Content (Example): “I have the knowledge of the claim that Christ is God and that He loved me enough to come into this world as a man and die on a Cross to pay the penalty for my sin. His desire is for me to believe in this so that I may have Eternal Life with Him.
Assensus is the conviction that the content of our faith is true. You can know about the Christian faith and yet not believe that it is true. Genuine faith says that the content — the notitia taught by Holy Scripture — is true.
- Conviction (Example): “I actually believe this claim about Christ is true. The more I research, the more I find that Christ did everything for me required and that He calls me to repent right now.”
Fiducia refers to personal trust and reliance. Knowing and believing the content of the Christian faith is not enough, for even demons can do that (James 2:19). Faith is only effectual if, knowing about and assenting to the claims of Jesus, one personally trusts in Him alone for salvation. 🥰
- Consent (Trust): “Though my knowledge is not perfect, nor is my conviction as certain as it could be, I have decided to Rest the full weight of my life and future on JESUS Christ.”
Abraham’s FAITH results in BELIEF, CONVICTION, AND TRUST
When Abraham heard the Word of the Lord (YHWH), he immediately responded with action.
- Abraham first BELIEVED that he was hearing from the One True God.
- He then immediately left his home and family to set out on a journey to the Promised Land. By leaving his family and choosing to follow YHWH (God), Abraham was also abandoning his family’s “gods” (idols), or the pagan religion that he was raised in.
Abraham heard the truth, was convicted to leave his family’s idols and responded with trust in Action. He based the rest of his life on what he had just heard and BELIEVED.
GENESIS 12 Now the Lord said to Abram,
“Go from your country,
And from your relatives
And from your father’s house,
To the land which I will show you;
2 And I will make you into a great nation,
And I will bless you,
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing;
3 And I will bless those who bless you,
And the one who curses you I will curse.
And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”4 So Abram went away as the Lord had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.
Saving Faith is a GIFT from GOD 🎁
The Bible says that Faith comes from God in the form of a GIFT and is attached to His Grace or unmerited favor. 🎁 Like Salvation, Saving Faith is a GIFT from GOD and not of ourselves so that no man or woman can boast.
Ephesians 2:8: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 🎁9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Philippians 1:29: For to you it has been granted (given graciously) for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer on His behalf,
1 Timothy 1:13-14: even though I (apostle Paul) was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:3: For through the grace given to me (apostle Paul) I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.
1 Corinthians 1:28: and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no human may boast before God. 30 But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
How do we RECEIVE the GIFT of SAVING FAITH? 👂🏻
The Bible also specifies HOW we receive the GIFT of FAITH from God. God’s GIFT of FAITH comes through HEARING the Word of God, ESPECIALLY THE GOSPEL MESSAGE!
Romans 10:14: How then are they to call on Him (Jesus Christ) in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 👡
16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So Faith comes from hearing, and hearing 👂🏻by the word of Christ.
18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? On the contrary:
“Their voice 🔊has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the ends of the world.
Abraham HEARD the Word of God and responded with SAVING FAITH. Abraham heard the GOSPEL MESSAGE in one of its earliest forms — and he BELIEVED! Abraham’s FAITH was a GIFT from GOD. 🎁
Genesis 22:18: And in your (abraham) seed (tfj: descendant – JESUS CHRIST) all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
You may be reading this post right now and “hearing“ the Gospel message perhaps for the first time. IF you are “hearing” the Gospel message of Jesus Christ and BELIEVE, you too have received the very special GIFT of FAITH that comes from God. 🎁 Indeed, we pray 🙏🏻that God gives YOU this very special GIFT OF FAITH🎁 that allows you to put your TRUST in JESUS CHRIST for your SALVATION and desire to live according to Jesus’ Words and teaching!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
If you hear the gospel message and would like to believe but are having trouble putting your faith and trust in Jesus, you can always ask God for the gift of FAITH!
Matthew 7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Luke 17:5: And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Romans 12 states that each believer is given a measure of faith according to the work that God has for them within the body of Christ (Church/all believers). Works do not save us nor make us more “righteous”; however, God has created good works for each of His people to walk in. Each believer is given a sufficient measure of faith so that they can complete their unique purpose within the body of Christ. The “measure of faith” does not imply a ranking system of spirituality or worthiness among believers but highlights the diverse yet equally essential functions within the Christian community, each sustained by the faith God grants.
Hebrews 12:2: looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Abraham BELIEVED God (YHWH) while still an uncircumcised pagan. Abraham’s FAITH was a GIFT from GOD who is the ORIGINATOR of our faith. 🎁
- This newly acquired faith/belief in the One True God (YHWH) BECAME THE DEFININING MOMENT OF ABRAHAM’S ENTIRE LIFE! This SAVING FAITH was credited to him as RIGHTEOUSNESS (Right standing before God)
- Abraham’s FAITH in the One True God led him to dump paganism/idolatry, Trust God and follow Him, and eventually get circumcised.
Indeed, through Abraham’s SEED (DESCENDANT – JESUS CHRIST) all the nations of the world HAVE BEEN RICHLY BLESSED!!!✝️
The MOMENT a sinner REALLY BELIEVES that Jesus Christ IS the promised Messiah, the Son of the Living God who takes away the sin of the world and RECEIVES these promises for him/herself…He/she is SAVED! ✝️ They have RECEIVED the GIFT OF FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST that comes from God. The believer is then instantly JUSTIFIED (declared legally righteous) before our Holy God. Although the new believer finally recognizes their own sinful condition and need for a SAVIOR, they still have an UNCIRCUMCISED HEART.
The thief on the Cross was saved while still uncircumcised spiritually. Abraham believed God while he was still uncircumcised (physically). However, Saving Faith will always produce an action or response.
Abraham responded to the word of the Lord by leaving his family, his home, and his “gods” (idols) and putting his Trust in YHWH. Similarly, HEARING the Gospel message and RESPONDING with FAITH and TRUST in Jesus Christ for SALVATION will result in a changed life. Those who have received the GIFT of SAVING FAITH will find themselves abandoning sin and living out Jesus’ words and teaching to the best of their ability. Why would they do that? Because they TRULY BELIEVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. ✝️
We can imagine that if the thief who put his faith and trust in Jesus Christ for his salvation had been able to live out his life, his heart would have been circumcised and his life would have drastically changed.
The Spiritual circumcision of the heart
What does circumcision REALLY represent? The physical circumcision of the Jewish man is a “type” or “shadow” of a much more important circumcision…the one that is REALLY important to God – the Circumcision of the heart. 💖 The cutting away of the physical foreskin of the male SYMBOLIZES the cutting away of the spiritual covering of the heart. It represents the cutting away of idolatry, hatred, lies, selfishness, greed, sexual sins…...leaving only a pure heart where the fruits of the spirit are on FULL DISPLAY – LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL. A spiritually circumcised heart is one that has RECEIVED God’s GIFT OF SAVING FAITH. 🎁✝️
Over a person’s lifetime, God’s GIFT of SAVING FAITH in JESUS CHRIST✝️ will bring about repentance from sin while producing the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. 🕊️🍇🍉🍊🍎
This is SUPER GOOD NEWS! This should make us ALL EXCITED!!! People do NOT have to “clean up their act” before they get saved. People can receive THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION RIGHT NOW🎁 by putting their FAITH and TRUST in JESUS CHRIST!!! ✝️
Abraham BELIEVED God, and it was credited to him as righteousness BEFORE he was circumcised. HALLELUJAH!
However, circumcision DID COME LATER!
Abraham was declared righteous by faith alone, but he DID eventually get circumcised. Abraham WAS obedient to the calling of God. Abraham’s Circumcision of the flesh was the PHYSICAL SIGN that indicated he was in Covenant with YHWH. The Jewish person’s circumcision of the flesh is the PHYSICAL SIGN that they are in the MOSAIC COVENANT with YHWH. But…the Mosaic Covenant is obsolete and is PASSING AWAY! (Hebrews 8:13).
Eventually all of God’s people (Jew and Gentile) will be drawn into the NEW COVENANT which comes exclusively through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST as the SON OF GOD who takes away our sin. ✝️
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
Deuteronomy 10:16: Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart💕, and be stiff-necked no longer.
Faith without works (action) is dead
Genuine faith will result in some kind of action which will ultimately yield a circumcised heart. 💕
James 2:14: What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works (action)? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.
18 But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
a circumcised heart 💖is a SIGN THAT A person is in the NEW COVENANT with YHWH/JESUS CHRIST/HOLY SPIRIT🕊️ and has been born again into the family of God.
The New Covenant is MUCH better than the Mosaic Covenant because it comes with BETTER PROMISES!
- Promises of permanent forgiveness of all sin through the shed blood of GOD HIMSELF – Jesus Christ ✝️
- Jesus Christ (God the Son) as permanent HIGH PRIEST FOREVER making intercession for us before YHWH (God the Father)
- The permanent indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. 🕊️
- Having the position as an adopted SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD (YHWH)
- Having the Righteousness of Christ,
- Fellowship/friendship with God and all that entails including God the Father (YHWH) hearing our prayers, divine angelic protection, provision, healing, peace, and much more.
- No demonic weapon formed against us will succeed.
- Salvation and Everlasting Life that includes the promise of IMMORTALITY, divine health, everlasting youth/energy, peace, joy, all sorrow and tears wiped away.
Who circumcises the believer’s heart in the New Covenant?
After Abraham was justified (made righteous before the One True Triune God) by his FAITH and BELIEF, he agreed to be circumcised as a sign or seal of the Covenant that he had entered into with YHWH. Who circumcised Abraham? The Bible does not say, but I seriously doubt he did it to himself. It is possible that his wife Sarah circumcised him. Babies certainly do not circumcise themselves. Someone other than the one being circumcised performs the circumcision.
who is it that circumcises the believer’s heart? Do we circumcise our own hearts? No. God (YHWH/JESUS CHRIST), through the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit 🕊️circumcises the believer’s heart. Just like a baby cannot physically circumcise himself, we cannot circumcise our own heart. God does it for us! We need only to keep our FAITH in CHRIST and YIELD OURSELVES to the teaching and direction of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit as God circumcises our heart. 💕
Like Abraham AGREED to have his flesh circumcised…believers in Jesus Christ need to AGREE to allow Holy Spirit to circumcise our hearts.
Jude 1:24: Now to Him (God/Jesus Christ) who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior (JESUS CHRIST),
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.Ephesians 5:26: That He (YHWH /Jesus Christ/Holy Spirit) might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Philippians 1:6: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.
What does a circumcised heart LOOK LIKE?
Revelation 19:7: Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride (tfj: Body of Christ/Church) has made herself ready. (tfj: Has a circumcised heart)
- A circumcised heart loves, reveres, and CHERISHES God and WANTS to PLEASE HIM.
- A circumcised heart is kind, loving, and treats others as more important than themselves
- A circumcised heart is one that mourns their own sin and hates sin in general.
- A circumcised heart is one that REPENTS of sin and is constantly seeking forgiveness and grace while extending forgiveness and grace to others. It strives NOT to sin, but also recognizes that while we are in this fallen flesh, we WILL sin.
- It is one that constantly seeks God’s Will and NOT their own, seeking to understand God and His Word better and better each day.
- A circumcised heart walks by FAITH and not by SIGHT, trusting more in God’s Word then in their own FEELINGS/EMOTIONS.
- A circumcised heart will DESIRE to walk INCREASINGLY in the fruits of the spirit. 🍇🍉🍊You will know a circumcised heart by their LOVE…of God first, and then of neighbor as an overflow from their love of God.
Philippians 2:13: Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Salvation and RIGHTEOUSNESS come through SIMPLE BELIEF in JESUS CHRIST and FAITH in His Promises, even while uncircumcised (before our hearts are changed).
But…circumcision of the heart IS a SIGN that a person IS saved! True SAVING FAITH and belief WILL EVENTUALLY result in a circumcised heart and a circumcised heart will be evident in a changed life. 💕
Romans 4:11: and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them
Only FAITH AND TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST can SAVE! ✝️
Remember, NO RELIGION can save us. Church cannot save us. Our believing parents cannot save us. Trying to “be a good person” without FAITH in Christ cannot save us. Only True belief and SAVING FAITH in Jesus Christ and HIS SHED BLOOD can save us! Save us from what? From an eternity in hell/outer darkness! 😱 The wages of sin is death – eternal death💀 and separation from God (YHWH) and ALL PEOPLE have sinned and fallen short of the GLORY OF GOD. But the FREE GIFT🎁 of GOD through GOD’S GRACE AND SAVING FAITH is ETERNAL LIFE! ✝️💕
What “religion” can offer Eternal Security? None. Only a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ can offer us Eternal Security. Our works do not “add” to Christ’s salvation and are not necessary to “maintain” salvation. Like Abraham, we may be called to step out in FAITH as a RESPONSE or ACTION (work) to what God calls us to do. But this is our response to GENUINE SAVING FAITH not because we “need” to keep ourselves “saved”, but because we BELIEVE GOD.
This means we as believers do not have to be apprehensive about where we will go when we die. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and the CROSS ✝️and allow Him to circumcise our hearts, our Eternity in Heaven is secure…FOREVER.
The important question is…what, or WHO do YOU put your faith in?
We pray that God’s Holy Spirit open our hearts and minds to better understand the breath, the depth, the width and the height of the love that God has for each of us in Christ Jesus! 💕
