“But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.” Romans 2:29
When Paul is distinguishing between the old covenant and the new, he identifies all Christians as the true circumcision (Phil 3:3). This is a corporate identity. However, the analogy of heart circumcision also illustrates a deeper work of grace when it is considered at a personal level.
Paul utilized this graphic analogy of circumcision to teach us that our hearts are impure and that God wants to do spiritual surgery on us. Under the old covenant, a male child was circumcised eight days after birth. Therefore, John Wesley used circumcision of the heart to explain something beyond the new birth.
Abraham was circumcised after he was justified. The first specific reference to holiness occurs when Moses encountered the burning bush and found himself on holy ground. The ground was holy because God was there. Moses was warned not to come closer. He removed his sandals as an act of worship, and he hid his face (Exod 3:2–6). Then as he set forth to return to Egypt, God almost killed him because his son was uncircumcised (Exod 4:24). It is also significant that circumcision fell into disuse while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Therefore, Joshua commanded that all the males had to submit to circumcision after they entered Canaan (Josh 5:2–9).
Circumcision was required because human nature was unclean. All that we procreate is a reproduction of our sinfulness. Thus, the holiness of God required separation from sin and unto God.
“And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deut 30:6).
Concerning Deuteronomy 30:6, Wesley explained that the Lord will by his Word and Spirit change and purge our hearts from all our idolatry and wickedness and incline our hearts to love him. “This promise principally respects the times of the gospel, and the grace which was to be then imparted to all Israel by Christ.”((OT Notes, 1:678.))
Under the new covenant, God requires circumcision of the heart (Rom 2:29; 4:9–12; Col 2:11–13). Colossians 2:11 describes spiritual circumcision as a putting off of the body of the flesh. This illustrates cleansing from the sinful nature in entire sanctification.
Under the old covenant, it was the male alone who bore the mark of the covenant. Yet, in these last days, God gives his Spirit to both male and female (Acts 2:17–18).
Sermon Suggestions
- There is a cleansing in regeneration, according to Titus 3:5. It is cleansing from acquired depravity. There is also a deeper cleansing that comes after the new birth. It is cleansing from inherited depravity.
- This cleansing is the work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot sanctify ourselves by keeping the letter of the law. In fact, only those who live according to the Spirit are empowered to keep the law’s requirements (Rom 8:4). According to Romans 7:6, we are to serve God in the newness of the Spirit, not the oldness of the letter. We can do nothing praiseworthy. God does this deeper work in us. There is always a danger that we retain the form of godliness without experiencing the power of God. Richard Watson preached, “Rest not in external duties, as if they could satisfy your spirit.”((Sermons, 2:382.))
- God’s holy people are marked. However, the sign that we are God’s covenant people will not be visible externally. Rather, we will be marked by wholehearted love for God and our neighbors.