REAL CIRCUMCISION Devotion 12 of 39 This is not a mere discourse on circumcision. The Spirit is addressing the Jews who thought themselves worthy to judge others simply because they were a chosen people. They trusted in their possession of the Law, and boasted in the ordained seal of circumcision. All of this, of course, was according to appearance, and not heart. In fact, the First Covenant was one of appearance. Its ordinances dealt with external matters, procedures, and forms. The sign of identity with Abraham – circumcision – was in the flesh. The place associated with God – the tabernacle – was external. None of these things, including the Law itself, changed the character of those under that First Covenant. They kept their stony hearts. – Tomorrow:
"For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. Therefore, if an uncircumcised man keeps the righteous requirements of the law, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? And will not the physically uncircumcised, if he fulfills the law, judge you who, even with your written code and circumcision, are a transgressor of the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Rom 2:25-29, NKJV)
Paul spoke of those who "glory in appearance, and not in heart" (2 Cor 5:12). That is precisely why the Jews of our text were being upbraided. They were glorying, or boasting, in appearance – externals. But actually, in their hearts, they were no different from the Gentiles whom they despised.
To state it more succinctly, they were trusting in what they had been given, rather than in the Giver. The Spirit is taking this boast away from them. He is confirming that our acceptance is strictly based upon faith, and that it alone can appropriate the righteousness of God. When it comes to receiving a righteousness from God, faith alone can do it. The Spirit is very precise in stating how this righteousness is received. "For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is BY FAITH from first to last" (Rom 1:17, NIV). "This righteousness from God comes THROUGH FAITH in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Rom 3:22, NIV). " . . . the righteousness that is BY FAITH . . . " (Rom 10:6, NIV). "the righteousness that comes from God and is BY FAITH" (Phil 3:9, NIV).
If there is a place for works in the appropriation of the righteousness of God, then surely it will be found in circumcision. This is something commanded by God, given significance by Him, and recognized by Him as a token of the Abrahamic covenant. It is a Divinely appointed "sign and seal." Yet, it cannot be the source of either boasting or confidence. The reason for this should be very apparent. The heart of a person cannot be changed from the outside – not even by a God-ordained sign and seal of circumcision.
WHEN ORDAINED SIGNS ARE NEGATED
The Jews were not the last persons to rely on signs for confidence. Many still imagine they can take the place of faith, which alone can appropriate the righteousness of God (Rom 3:22,26; 4:5; Phil 3:9). It is vital to understand the principle proclaimed in this text.
Let us take, for example, the matter of our baptism into Christ. Although baptism is hotly contested in the religious world, there is not a solitary argument against it in all of Scripture. Not a single syllable is uttered by the Spirit to demean or minimize baptism. It is always held in the highest regard, and is consistently associated with becoming identified with Christ Jesus. Here are some of the matters with which baptism is associated.
1. Repentance (Acts 2:38).
2. The remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
3. The gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
4. Believing (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12; 18:8).
5. Salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
6. Being buried with Christ (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12).
7. Being raised with Christ (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12).
8. Being identified with Christ's death (Rom 6:3).
9. Becoming dead to sin (Rom 6:2-3).
10. Becoming alive to God (Rom 6:3-11).
11. The circumcision of Christ, in which the whole body of sin is cut away (Col 2:11-12).
12. Faith in the operation, or working, of God (Col 2:12).
13. Coming into Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27).
14. Putting on Christ (Gal 3:27).
15. A commandment (Acts 10:48).
16. The confession of Christ (Acts 8:36-37).
17. Gladly receiving the Word of God (Acts 2:41).
18. Washing away our sins (Acts 22:16).
19. Coming into one body through the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13).
20. Gladly receiving the Word (Acts 2:41).
21. Hearing and believing (Acts 18:8).
22. Calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).
To be quite clear about this, wherever baptism has not been accompanied by these realities, there has really been no baptism at all. Baptism, in such a case, though ordained by God as was circumcision, is invalidated. Just as surely as Abraham could not put faith in his circumcision, so those in Christ are not to put their faith in their baptism. Faith must be in God Himself, not what He has given, or what he has commanded. In no way does this demean our baptism into Christ.
There is extensive teaching on this matter in the Apostolic writings. Yet, it is generally ignored by the masses, in favor of some external and visible evidence of imagined Divine approval. Some place confidence in having the right name. Still others place it in having the correct worship procedure, or even the proper pattern of church government. Some stoop even lower by making their fleshly diet the basis of their confidence. But God will not allow real assurance and confidence to enter the heart of a person who does not have faith in Him.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for evidences of my sonship. Notwithstanding, my faith is in You, not the evidence.