What is Spiritual Circumcision?
Posted July 20, 2011
Thank you Mike,Hi G____,
I think these heavens of mine just opened up a wee bit more with that reflection you send in reply about Jeremiah and spiritual circumcision.
The verses in Jeremiah 9:23-26 reminded me of something in one of Paul's letters (1Co 1:29), and I had not made that connection before now either, but more than that, I think I have gained a much deeper understanding about what spiritual circumcision is about. Do you have time to let me know if I am on the right track?
Since we see that Jeremiah is speaking of circumcision of the heart, and (I think) Paul is quoting Jeremiah 9 in 1Co 1, then Paul would also be also speaking of spiritual circumcision. If so, then both of them (Paul and Jeremiah) are giving us a deeper understanding of what 'circumcision of the heart, in the spirit' is. Let me start by ‘declaring’ where I ended up and then backtrack to show you how I got there.
Spiritual circumcision is something we cannot do of ourselves but comes to us as a gift from that "which is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God", and so we "in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" made by His "exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth" will not only "return unto the LORD" but "to him shall men come" by us (Christ's Christ, made possible with Christ in us). If this is true, then spiritual circumcision is an action that we will be accomplishing within and without by Christ the power of God on all the uncircumcised (the wicked, the unrighteous man).
Here is how I was brought to that conclusion:1Co1:18-31
18For the preaching of the cross [spiritual circumcision because of verse 19 and 23 below that point to Jer 9:23-26?] is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God [the new man, circumcised spiritually-speaking as verse 23-24 and 30 below indicates... as well as 2Ti 1:7-8?].
19For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.20Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23But we preach Christ crucified [flesh circumcised?], unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
25Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
(2Ti 1:8-9 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,)
It seems that Jeremiah 9 and 1 Corinthians 1 are speaking ofhow this circumcision comes to be (by judgment and righteousness, which is putting off the flesh), and I am reminded of Isaiah where it talks about this higher heavenly view (righteousness) that we cannot fathom but that will be granted us eventually...
Isa 55:7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isa 45:22Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.24Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
And as you have indicated,all this is also telling us Joh 15:5, which you quoted, (I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.),and also I think Joh 5:30 (I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.) ... Add these verses toour conviction of the promises of Mat 4:4 (live by every word)and Rom 8:1 (we walk not after the flesh) and 1Jn4:17 (as he is so are we in this world)...
...and this is where I am brought to this conclusion about what'circumcision of the heart, in the spirit' is:
Spiritual circumcision is something we cannot do of ourselves but comes to us as a gift from that "which is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God", and so we "in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption" made by His "exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth"will not only "return unto the LORD"but "to him shall men come" by us (Christ's Christ, made possible with Christ in us).If this is true, then spiritual circumcision is an action that we will be accomplishing within and without by Christ the power of God on all the uncircumcised (the wicked, the unrighteous man).
Thanks for your time, Mike.
Grateful in Him,
G____
What Jeremiah is talking about here is being circumcised in heart, and realizing that we have nothing to do with our our own spiritual state, be it good or bad. Look at the next couple of verses:
Jer 9:25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised;
Jer 9:26 Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.
There it is in the Old Testament. That is Jeremiah, not Paul. Yet Paul tells us he received his gospel "by revelation". And that is how revelation comes. It is new to us, yet it has been right there before our eyes for thousands of years.
Rom 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
No circumcised heart will glory in anything of "his" because any circumcised heart knows that 'he' has nothing of himself.
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Our day today is and will be "worked after the counsel of His own will" and in accord with what He has already written in His book. In that I, and I hope and pray you, will take great comfort. Thank you for sharing what you have come to understand with me.
Mike