Sermon Central
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The Heart Of Mary: Circumcised Heart
Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 11, 2008 (message contributor)
The Heart of Mary: Circumcised Heart
"A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code..." (Romans 2:28-29)
Circumcision of the spiritual heart has always been on the heart of God. It is not only a New Testament revelation for mankind but found in Old Testament several times. (Jeremiah 4:4; 9:25-26) The Bible is clear on what God can and will do. Deuteronomy 30:6 says, "The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love Him with all your heart and with all your soul and live."
Many do not know nor have true Christmas joy because they try to live by outward circumcision, outward showing of religious acts. Christians who have true Christmas joy have revelation and illumination of what the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:11, "In [Christ they are] circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ." (Colossians 2:11)
The Holy Spirit takes the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, (Ephesians 6:17) and washes the heart with the written Word. (Ephesians 5:25b) Jesus Christ was born to die so that Christians may have life abundantly. This is enjoyed by accepting Jesus Christ to be both Savior and Lord and by allowing Him to sanctify us as the Holy Spirit brings life to the Written Word of God in our hearts.
Mary was a virgin, representing that which is pure, that heart that is sold out to the will of God and willing to die to self for the purpose of God, a heart hungry for the Lord. Christians who have the heart of Mary know the truth of 2 Corinthians 3:6, "Such a confidence as this is ours through Christ before God... He made us competent as ministers of the new covenant -- not of the letter but of the Spirit..." This second greatest benefit of a circumcised heart enables Christians to be competent in our service to Jesus Christ and in everything the Lord calls them to do. Those with the heart of Mary find it said of them as the Bible says of Zecharaiah and Elizabeth, they "...were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." (Luke 1:6)
Let Your Heart be Circumcised to Christ!
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