A Circumcised Heart

This was the perfect picture to denote “A Circumcised Heart”.  For circumcision is just a cutting away of the flesh; though it is painful to any degree because we hate to die to our flesh.  We would much rather live with comfort and ease of course, but God’s Word challenges us to grow spiritually and allow God’s Holy Spirit to do His work in us to accomplish that.

Romans 2:29 – …And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

Although this passage was a debate regarding the Jewish ceremony of circumcision and whether it was needful for the Gentiles, my desire for this writing is to discuss the need for “A Circumcised Heart”.

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John the Baptist had a bold personality and it showed as we read in

Matthew 3:7-12 – ⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the [divine] wrath and judgment to come? ⁸ So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]; ⁹ and do not presume to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [so our inheritance assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham. ¹⁰ And already the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ¹¹ “As for me, I baptize you with water because of [your] repentance [that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life], but He (the Messiah) who is coming after me is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to remove [even as His slave]; He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire (judgment). ¹² His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear out His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom), but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”

John the Baptist called the Pharisees and Sadducees a brood of vipers!  Everyone knew this religious sect did not live the way they professed, but John had the audacity to “call them out” for their unrighteous living.

The Amplified Version of this scripture defines repentance:

• In verse 8 as “demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin” and
• In verse 11 as “that is, because you are willing to change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret your sin and live a changed life”.

Then John announces that Jesus is coming to “baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire”.  In numerous versions it is stated this way, so specifically in Pentecostal churches we have heard (and I have been guilty also), “Yes, Lord, the Power and Fire of Your Holy Spirit!”

But, if you read it the way the Amplified Version is written, it clarifies the fire is for the unbelievers, unrepentant people, that will receive the unquenchable fire of hell.  Therefore, I did a word study and only saw the word fire being used for judgement.

Then I found a footnote in the Spirit-Filled Life Bible that states, “Fire either purifies or destroys.  Hence, salvation in Jesus Christ will be purifying for true believers who accept Him and destructive for those who reject Him.”

The fire of the Holy Spirit is intended to purify the believer unto righteousness,

and we indeed need all the help we can get.

When we cry FIRE unto God, it is for purification for holiness, consecration.

A dear friend gave me a book titled “Unstoppable & Unquenchable Fire” by Brian Gibbs a year ago and it lit a fire within me that I pray never goes out!  There is a holy fire that cannot be explained or quenched, only experienced, and spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 2:14 – But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

Do not be cynical if you do not understand what holy fire represents.  God’s power can change your heart and life so tremendously that there will be no denying it.

Fire represents the glory of God and is what the church and every believer is missing today.  Yet, all we need to do is seek Him, ask Him for it!  When we realize that God is coming for a purified bride, one without spot or wrinkle, shouldn’t we awake, fill our lights with oil and prepare for our bridegroom?

God helps us prepare!

Ezekiel 36:25-27 – ²⁵ “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. ²⁶ And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. ²⁷ And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.

Thank God for His mercy and grace that is constantly extended to us!

Romans 2:16 – And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.

Ask God to search your heart and show you what He sees.  May He find a circumcised heart in all of us.

Let us pray for one another that God’s spirit, God’s truth presides in all of us in these last days.  May we all be found worthy to hear, “Welcome home, My good and faithful servant”!

Notes:

1. If you are new to this blog, please understand that I have a ministry in discipleship, so I challenge you and encourage you to grow in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2. All scripture is taken from the Amplified version and New Living Translation.
3. More blogs can be viewed at the following sites:

• debiayers.com
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4. To purchase your copy of “Tea Time With God; Treasures of the Heart”, click 
5. I also author a series of books titled “The Adventures of Maddie and Her Papaw”, which are sold on Amazon.