Scripture also says god gave us a spiritual circumcision. Circumcision is a cutting away and removing of flesh. In a spiritual circumcision, God removes the flesh.
“Flesh” is a term, used in the bible, to mean that part of a human being, which enables us, which gives power to sin. When the first people chose independence from God, that decision flipped a switch in the hearts of people to choose sin and rebellion. Turning away from God, choosing sin instead of holiness, hate instead of love, selfishness instead of service, has become natural to people. It has become part of our DNA. We do not have the power to stop, and change these attitudes and behaviors. They are woven too deep into our beings. There is no hope of improvement, let alone perfection.
But we gave our allegiance to Jesus, and he circumcised our spiritual flesh. He removed that part of our inner man that is naturally inclined to sin. If you will, he did a DNA transplant. He removed the gene that gave power to sin, and replaced it with a gene that gives power to love, obedience, and faithfulness. He gave us the spirit, who will step by step, renew our image, so we will look like, and live like, Jesus.
Without this process, there is no hop of moving back to the Father. We will be unable to choose obedience. No, we can choose.
This does not mean we will become perfect in this life. The presence of sin is still in our lives. We have gotten too good at it, through long, intense, and continuous practice. The enemy and the world still seek to deceive, to influence, and to mold. But we can now expect significant restoration of our original design. We can expect significant transformation into Christ’s image. We can expect significant advances in love, joy, and peace.
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