Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Colossians 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.

Scripture speaks of two kinds of circumcision. One is outward and the other is inward. One is a religious ritual that is performed by the hands of men. The other is a work of God. The only thing that these have in common is the spelling of the word circumcision. The person who receives the physical, fleshly circumcision will often become religiously zealous, but have no real heart for God. The person who has been circumcised in the heart will become an avid and devout follower of Jesus Christ. The outward circumcision “weds” a person to a religious system. The circumcision of the heart “weds” that person to The Living Christ.

Though both groups of people may use the same biblical terms or vocabulary, the similarity ends there. One is describing something that needs to be done, the other us describing The One Who has done everything for them. The person who is circumcised outwardly has no inward peace or assurance of salvation. The person who is circumcised by a God has peace and assurance forever.

Our Scriptures this morning speak of the blessed circumcision of God. A circumcision that rejoices in Christ Jesus and has no confidence in any ritual or religious system. How glorious it is to be a joyful follower of Jesus Christ! How glorious is the rest that is given to those who trust in Him. Precious saints, our flesh is constantly seeking to “prove” that we are good by “doing” religious things. Our flesh craves being known as a ” spiritual” person because of our dazzling ability to quote Scripture or speak fluent Christianese. What a deceptive “fig leaf”!

The flesh constantly gravitates towards the tree of the knowledge of good and evil instead of the tree of life. Oh how easy it is to become a “Christian Pharisee” and put ourselves on some kind of religious, good works treadmill that is nothing more than a “feel good” kind of a thing. There is no life or joy in Christ when we heartlessly go about doing those kinds of good works to fulfill some King of religious requirements or duty. The Bible calls them dead works and dung!

Beloved, take a deep breath. Look once again to Jesus like you did when you first met Him. You were broken, empty and helpless. Nothing has changed as far as your credentials before God. You belong to Him by grace through faith. You are circumcised by God and belong to Him, not a religious system. Follow Me is the call of Jesus. Walk with Him and for Him today. May your very life be an act of worship today.