Email a link of this article to a friend

Bible Question
What does that Bible say about having a clean/circumcised heart? And how to we get it?

The Bible actually mentioned a circumcised heart four different times. It appears first in Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4, Romans 2:29. But Paul explains this “spiritual” circumcision in Colossians 2:9-13. Paul's tells us what it means to be ‘IN” Christ, where “the fullness of deity dwells.” We have been “made complete” IN Him (Jesus) (v 10) who is head over all things. And IN Him, “we are also circumcised,” not physically, but spiritually in our hearts, “by the circumcision of Christ” (v 11). The removal of not part of our actual flesh, but a stripping away of our old sinful self and a dedication to God in our hearts.

Paul then goes on to explain how and when the circumcision occurs. “having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God...” (v 12). In baptism, God removes that old self, giving us a circumcision not made with hands. And just as He (God) raised Christ from the dead, we too are “raised up with Him through faith” during baptism. We were dead in our transgressions AND the uncircumcision of our flesh before being baptized, but God has made us alive again “washing away” our sins (Acts 22:16), raising us to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4), and has “circumcised our hearts” when we are buried in the waters of baptism. We are baptized INTO Christ (Galatians 3:27) where we have been made complete (Colossians 2:10).

---

Home | Elders & Deacons | Missions | Youth | Bible Classes | Ministries | Events | Ask Us About It
Study Topics | Online Bible Study | Links | Contact Us

Bear Valley Church of Christ, 2707 S. Lamar St., Denver, CO 80227
Phone: 303-986-4521   E-mail: