Week 6 - Wednesday

A Changed Heart

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God. (Romans 2:28-29)

The Jews believed that they would go to heaven simply because they were Abraham's descendants. Another thing they relied upon to save them was their circumcision. Jewish tradition said that no circumcised Jewish man would ever enter hell. Paul corrects this misconception (Rom. 2:25-27), and tells the Jews that no one will be excused from God's judgment because they were circumcized. A Christian ceremony, that is the equivalent of circumcision, is baptism. There are many people today who think that because they were baptized, they will go to heaven when they die. In a lot of cases their baptism occurred when they were infants (just as circumcision did for the Jews) and they had no idea what was going on. Those who were baptized later in life, by their own choice, are still not saved because of their baptism. Baptism means nothing unless a person also repents and puts their faith in Christ. Just as circumcision was for the Jews, baptism is meant to be a symbol of a person's special relationship to God. Also like circumcision, it is to be done as an act of obedience to the command of God(Matt. 28:19). Baptism also marks the beginning of a person's new life as a follower of Christ. By being baptized, a Christian is making a public testimony that they have turned from their sin to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. If that isn't true, a person could be baptized every day of their life and it wouldn't do them any good. Baptism doesn't save anyone anymore than circumcision does.

A real Jew is not someone who has been circumcised outwardly, by having a piece of their flesh cut away. A real Jew is one who is one inwardly. True circumcision does not happen on the outside of a person, it is the changing of their heart. Likewise, a real Christian is not someone who has been dipped in water. A real Christian is someone who has been baptized in their heart. The changing of a person's heart is not a work that is done by human hands. You cannot cut away part of someones skin, or dip them in water, and make them a new person. Only God can do that, and He does it through the power of His Holy Spirit. Examine your heart today. Has it been changed? Do you hate your sin? Do you love Jesus Christ? Is it your desire, above all else, to follow Him as your Lord and Savior? If not, go to God in prayer and ask Him to do what only He can do for you. Ask Him to change your heart. If these things are true for you, thank God that He changed your heart. However don't expect the people you know, that don't follow Christ, to applaud you for it. It's more likely they will criticize or ridicule you. A Christian's praise is not from men, but from God

Readings for today: Deut. 10:16, 30:6; Eze. 36:25-27; 1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:11; Phil. 3:3