For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 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 2:28-29

A Matter of the Heart

In the Old testament circumcision was required for all Jewish males under the Law of Moses (Brit Milah, or Bris) on the eighth day after their birth. Even Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth (Luke 2:21). Circumcision can be done for health reasons, comfort or even appearance. God told Abraham to circumcise himself when he was 99 years old. So too were circumcised were Ishmael, Abraham's household, his servants, those born in the house, and those bought with money from a foreigner as an everlasting covenant in their flesh (Genesis 17:24-27). This included all of Abraham's offspring (all Jewish males, even those yet to be born).

There comes time when some of us need to spiritually circumcise our hearts, cutting away the things that cover the soul.  Christians can cling to irreligious customs and traditions, interpretations of Scripture taken out of context, unloving and severe attitudes put on other believers considered as all the truth there is, pastors “beating the sheep” with condemnation and disapproval, rejection of other believers from fellowship because they do not practice what the one that practices legalism preaches. There are so many more ways legalism can harden the heart. It can even flow over into the political side of thinking or be something as silly as not liking a brother or sister in Christ because they prefer contemporary Christian music over hymns. That's a hardening of the heart.

In the wilderness Moses told the children of Israel; “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn” (Deuteronomy 10:16). He was telling them to repent in their inward sinful attitudes so that they lined up with God's word. He commands us to make Him the focal point of our commitment, purpose, and actions.

Calcification is the slow but steady hardening of an object. That can happen to our hearts over time. It is good to keep watch over our thoughts (Psalm 19:14), and make a habit of a consistent time to read and study God's word and to practice a consistent prayer life. In doing so we seek to know God and have a personal relationship with Him. He is highly pleased with the feeblest attempt to do so. As the saying goes, “Nothing trumps prayer.”

These life disciplines bring joy, peace, and by the Holy Spirit a measurement of the tenderness of our hearts. A spirit tender and receptive to the Lord is what He desires. It comes down to a matter of the heart. Who is truly a Jew? Is it one born to man or one whose heart is circumcised in God's sight? To cut away the foreskin of the spiritual heart and be no longer stubborn is to be a true child of Abraham. It is God's will for all believers and will define their lives. And his or her praise will not be from man but from God.

Ken