Circumcised By Christ

Before we believed in Christ, our nature was evil. We disobeyed, rebelled, and ignored God (even at our best, we did not love him with all our heart, soul and mind (self-seeking)).

"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." Colossians 2:13-15 (NIV)

The Christian, however, has a new nature, "..in putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." Colossians 2:8-12 (NIV). God has crucified the old rebellious nature (see Romans 6:6) and replaced it with a new loving nature (see Romans 3:9-10). The penalty of sin died with Christ on the cross. God declared us not guilty! Salvation is through "FAITH" in Christ (see Romans 10:17) that includes: (H)earing, (B)elieving, (R)epenting, (C)onfessing, (B)aptizing, and (L)iving Christ.

This chart will help you determine where you stand today: (1) A religion by self-effort or (2) Salvation by faith in Jesus?

Religion by self-effort:
1. Goal: please God by your own good deeds.
2. Means: practice, diligent service, discipline and obedience, in hope of reward.
3. Power: Good, honest effort through self-determination.
4. Control: Self-motivation, self-control.
5. Results: Chronic guilt, apathy, depression, failure, constant desire for approval.

Salvation by faith:
1. Goal: Live by faith; live to please God according to His Word (His Will).
2. Means: Confess, submit, and commit yourselves into Christ's control.
3. Power: The Holy Spirit in us helps us do good work in Christ's Kingdom.
4. Control: Christ in me, I in Christ (Galatians 2:20)
5. Results: Joy, thankfulness, love, guidance, service, forgiveness.

Salvation by faith in Jesus seems to be an easy task for many people. They would rather think they have done something to save themselves. So their religion becomes one of self-effort that leads either to disappointment or pride. The simple way is through Jesus and Jesus only! He alone is the door to eternal life.