"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. (Romans 2:28-29 NIV) You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. (Galatians 5:4-5 NIV) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love. (Galatians 5:6 AMP)
We are Saved by Grace not by Law
There are no two ways about It. "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.(Galatians 5:4 NIV). We cannot save ourselves through good works of any kind. Our salvation cannot be earned. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV) That is, we are not obligated to work our way to God, nor can we. We are only to gratefully praise God as our hearts are filled with joy and gladness for His free gift of Eternal Life and thanking Him for providing, and showing, us the way. Jesus said, .“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV) So, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means Anything.
Neither Circumcision nor uncircumcision means Anything
"A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. (Romans 2:28-29 NIV) To be counted as part of God's family has nothing to do with outside influence. Rituals won't cut it. Are we trying to perform to please man? God is the One Who examines our hearts. True circumcision is of the heart. It is a heart that heard the Gospel and believed by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. A heart devoted and obedient to Him. The heart can only be changed (circumcised) through the work of the Spirit which speaks of one being born-again. Its all about relationship not religion. Faith and love is all we need.
What is Faith
"Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses] (Hebrews 11:1 AMP). That is, to have faith is to have confidence about an expectation, without visible proof, of what God is saying is true and then acting and standing firm on this belief. It is to be sure and certain that God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will. Jesus said, ........ Blessed are they who did not see [Me] and yet believed [in Me].(John 20:29 AMP).
What Is Love?
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13 NIV). Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV). Jesus is talking about the kind of love that no one places no conditions on the other. This kind of love can only be expressed through one accepting Christ as savior recognizing the Grace of God. "We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4:19-21). When we love one another we love God.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow. Put it all in His hands. Have a blessed stress free worry free day on purpose. Never stop believing Jesus paid it all.