What does circumcision nor uncircumcision mean to us?
† Law and grace
1. faith working through love.
2. a new creation.
- Galatians 5:5-6 NKJV For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. [6] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
- Galatians 6:14-15 NKJV But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
† The apostle Paul emphasizes this in his letter to the Galatians, stating that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.”
Circumcision
Circumcision signifies inclusion in God’s covenant/agreement in the Old Testament, between God and the Israelites.
† God commanded Abraham and his descendants to circumcise every male child as a symbol of their covenant relationship.
† This practice established circumcision as a crucial marker of identity for the Israelites, distinguishing them from other nations.
- Genesis 17:10 NKJV This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised;
Uncircumcision
Uncircumcision represents those outside the covenant God made with Abraham and his descendants.
† Like the Philistines, seen as outsiders, enemies, and even as defilers of God’s chosen people.
† David specifically referred to Goliath as an “uncircumcised Philistine,” highlighting his status as an outsider to God’s covenant.
- 1 Samuel 17:26 NKJV Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, “What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”
The book of Acts shows how the early Jewish Christians had difficulty accepting uncircumcised Gentiles.
- Acts 11:1-3 NKJV Now the apostles and brethren who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. [2] And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, [3] saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
This tension within the early Church reflects the transition
† from the Old Covenant’s emphasis on physical markers like circumcision
† to the New Covenant’s focus on faith in Christ Jesus and a transformed heart.
† Basically faith working through human love, but one that originates from God, our Father.
† It was not until the Grace of God was revealed that Christians understood that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but that we are a new creation.”
Grace of God
This was prophesied many times in the Old Testament, but not fully grasped.
- Jeremiah 9:25 NKJV “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “that I will punish all who are circumcised with the uncircumcised-
† Still a God of covenant
† God will punish the lawless, those without a valid agreement with the true God
- John 17:3 NKJV And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
In essence, God’s grace signifies His unmerited favor and love towards humanity, offering forgiveness and a new life through faith in Jesus Christ.
† It signifies a profound change in one’s nature and identity, moving from a state of spiritual separation from God to a state of reconciliation and unity with Him.
† This transformation is not earned through human effort or adherence to rituals but is received as a gift through faith in Christ.
† faith working through love
New creation
The concept of “new creation” represents a radical transformation only available through faith in Jesus Christ.
† It transcends the limitations of the Old Covenant, making all who believe in Christ a New Creation.
† Not Adam, Not Eve, not mere men
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
† Hosting the power and authority of God, bot being mere men.
- Luke 5:36-38 NKJV Then He spoke a parable to them: “No one puts a piece from a new garment on an old one; otherwise the new makes a tear, and also the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. [37] And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. [38] But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved.
† The “new creation” breaks down old barriers and divisions
† Tooth for tooth, eye for an eye vs turning the other cheek.
Therefore, the “new creation” signifies a spiritual rebirth,
† New Covenant’s focuses on spiritual renewal.
† a regeneration unified and transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
A newness in our life
- John 10:10 NKJV The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
† have life, and life more abundantly