Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Renewal of the covenant

“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.”  (28-29)

We live in a world where we are constantly reminded by our society that our appearance and actions are important for our success. People spend a huge amount for the cosmetic beauty and that is one of the flourishing industry worldwide.   However, we need to understand that what we do and how we act stems from who we are inside. It is what is in our heart that will be revealed in the actions of our lives! In the passage, Apostle Paul is reminding us that keeping the Law or fulfilling the Law (experiencing a change of heart through the Spirit) makes us a true Jew because it is not merely an external event, but an internal change (of heart).

Today we may say that we go to church, we go to bible study, we give our tithes, we give to missions projects, and we read our bibles. Technically, we are doing all the “good things”, but when that becomes our focus, we find ourselves thinking that we are better than those out in the world, because God has blessed us with salvation.  So doing all the “good things” per se do not make us a Christian! It is the Christ IN us that makes us a Christian! All the good deeds have to come from our love towards Christ. These “good things” are meant to be outward expressions of a changed life from within. Our witness must be from our heart! (v.29).

Prayer: Lord, we come to repentance through a change in attitude and a change of heart. Lord, transform me as a person by renewing my mind by your spirit, so that I think the way you want me to think about everything, especially about you and about your will.

Thought for the day:  Christianity is not based on our external actions, but is best expressed by the outward expressions of what has been an inward transformation!

Saji Thomas, MTC Washington


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