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Circumcision was first established in Genesis 17:1-14, which was the initiatory rite of the Old Covenant. Importantly, we see that this sign was first given to Abraham, as the token of the agreement (Abrahamic Covenant) between him and God that his descendants will be God’s chosen people. Thereon all-male descendant was to be circumcised and foreigners as well who may be assimilated to the nation Israel (Proselytes), thus anyone not circumcised is cut off from His people.
When the New Covenant was established with the blood of Christ, the lifting off of the Old Covenant brought about a better circumcision or sign to the new agreement, thru the gospel of grace. I will now attempt to bring its understanding and importance to all Christians.
Let us go back in the beginning to understand the significance of that circumcision that we ought to receive. The Bible tells us that God created man in his image; in his likeness, He created them male and female. Wherefrom, he blessed them, telling them to multiply and fill the earth and to rule over it. (Genesis 1:27, 28)
Then He placed them in the middle of the garden of Eden, with instructions to follow. (Genesis 2:15-17) Telling them otherwise would bring death. (Romans 6:23)
But the devil deceived them, hence they disobeyed and committed sin. (Gen. 3) Thus all that were born of them were no longer in God's likeness but were born in Adam's image (Adamic Nature). (Genesis 5:1-3)
Unintentional Sin (involuntary)
Just as sin entered Adam, hence it brought death to all men because all men sinned, having been borne in his likeness. And though there was no law (Law) to take them to account, nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to Moses, even for those who did not sin by breaking a command (sin out of ignorance). (Romans 5:12-14 cf. Gen. 6:5-7)
Sin, by straying from God’s will, accidentally or by Ignorance, is not excusable in God’s viewpoint. (Romans 1:20) For though there wasn’t any Law in existence yet, or promulgated by God to men, (Mosaic Law) sin exists. Hence, at the time of Noah, some 1,800 years before the Mosaic Law in Mt. Sinai, God was grieved at the sin of man before him that he destroyed every living thing, except those in the ark, through the flood.
Accordingly, there’s an important principle that can be learned here, and that is “ignorance is no excuse.” That's right: you can't defend your actions by arguing you didn't know they were against God’s will, even if you honestly did not realize you were rebelling against His nature thru natural instinctual acts.
Intentional Sin
The apostle Paul tells us on the Adamic Nature based on his own experience (Jew under the Law), as follows:
14"We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do. But what I hate, I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good. 17In that case, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out." (ROMANS 7:14-18)
The Flesh
As we can see, though the choice is still there, it cannot be carried out by the "will" due to sin that is borne in the flesh... for sin had bounded it (Devil's Work).
Hence, God had to come to destroy the Devil's Work by recreating us that we may be like Adam in the beginning, before the fall. Wherefrom the free will manifests, by having the man unleashed from the body of sin that had bound him. Hence he can freely do the tasks that he had previously planned for him to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Paul explains that this was made possible through the gospel (gospel), that we receive through faith (faith). In baptism, he says, God had done circumcision (circumcision) by the putting off of the Flesh; the body of sin that has been removed. That we may have a new life (New Life).
Paul elaborates on that New Life (Titus 2:11-14):
11 "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."
There was a story about an adolescent elephant in a public zoo, which became the favorite of children so that the elephant is popular among visitors, young and old. To provide safety for the visitors, the zookeepers placed a leash on one of the hind legs of the animal pegged on the ground so as it may be contained on the grounds of its open confines separated by a fence. Thus, animal movement is limited through the perimeter provided by the leash.
However, they were criticized by the people for being cruel, so they were forced to unleash the leg and strengthened the perimeter fence instead. But the animal, being used to having the leash for quite some time continued to behave as if it is still under leash.
Same with some of us, who didn't believe they were unleashed from what had bound them thru the gospel, thus they continued in bondage to the flesh as they live their lives in this world. Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians (5:13-14): You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Paul explains in Ephesians 2:3: All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh [In contexts like this, the Greek word in the original text is "Sarx" (Sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Thank God for the gospel whereby the flesh had been put off. (Death to the Flesh)
Thus, Jesus tells us, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32)
For further reading, choose Is There Free Will? from the posts on display below. (Tap... "See All")
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