Thursday, October 16, 2014

Do You Have The Circumcision Of The Heart?

Are you a Christian because you go to church? Are you a Christian because you read your Bible? Are you a Christian because you do good to others? Most of us would quickly say no because we know that these activities do not provide salvation. We say it, we know it, but still many of us fall back on the false security of such activities. And then there are the many who call themselves Christian because they were born to that tradition but have no real knowledge of Jesus and do not possess salvation.

We are a people who find security in the physical more than the spiritual. We find security in doing something, touching something, seeing something which is the reason we are attracted to the simplicity of religious ceremonies and activities. But that is not the first step with Yahweh. It is like putting the cart before the horse. What matters to Father is the condition of your heart, the relationship, the acceptance of his free gift through Jesus.

The trouble Paul the apostle had with the Jews is the same problem we have with religious Christians. The Jews trusted the Law above their obedience to it. Paying lip service to the Law was more important to them than obedience to Yahweh. Sound familiar?

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God. (Romans 2:28-29)

Christianity is not a tradition. Our heavenly Father does not have grandchildren. In order to be a follower of Jesus Christ we must have a real and growing relationship with him. To be a child of Yahweh each individual person must understand and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, turning our back on our rebellion and embracing the forgiveness of our Father. We cannot be physically born into the family but must be spiritually reborn through Jesus Christ.

Going to church will not save you. Reading your Bible will not save you. Doing good will not save you. Being born into a Christian family will not save you. Only encountering Jesus, repenting of your rebellion and accepting his forgiveness, confessing him as Lord and Saviour, will allow Jesus to save you. If you don't understand the difference, please find a mature Christian to speak with. This is life and death.








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