"CIRCUMCISION" THE SEAL OF THE DIVINE COVENANT

Romans 2:23-3:3-8
GOD made a covenant with the nation of Israel. He would be their GOD and they would be His people. GOD is a Spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth. A spirit cannot be seen. GOD chose Israel to be His instrument through which He would make Himself known to the world. The Jewish people are the chosen people of GOD. They are His elect nation. Through the nation of Israel, GOD gave to us the Holy Scriptures and the Christ child through whom the whole world would be blessed.

The visible sign to seal the covenant was circumcision of every Jewish male. Whoever was not circumcised had no covenant relationship with GOD. That individual was excluded from this covenant.

Under the covenant of Grace we must be born of GOD'S Spirit to become a member of GOD'S family .We must also experience Holy Spirit baptism to become a member of the body of Christ. When we experience the new birth we are circumcised in the heart. The circumcision of the Jewish male was external in the flesh. The circumcision of the new testament believer under the covenant of Grace is internal, in the heart, in the spirit. Romans 2:28-29 states "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh, but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, whose praise is not of men but of GOD."

In 2 Timothy 2:19 the Scripture says "nevertheless the foundation of GOD stands sure, having this seal, the LORD knows them that are His, and let every one that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. He knows us because we have the seal of the covenant of Grace in our heart. We are given this inward circumcision when we trust Christ as our personal Savior. Thanks be to GOD for His free gift to all who will receive it.