Today's Passage - Col 2:11-12

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Colossians 2:11-12   In him you were also 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, 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.   Circumcision was a mark back in the Old Testament time.  When God chose Abraham, circumcision was a mark on God's chosen people.  On the one hand, God wanted to remember the covenant He made with people through circumcision; on the other hand, people demonstrated their obedience to God through circumcision.  Nevertheless, circumcision is only a sign for what's to come, because it cannot bring true salvation to people.  Jeremiah 9:25 says that "'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will punish all who are circumcised only in the flesh...'"  What God asked for is not the circumcision of the body, but circumcision of the heart.  Jeremiah 4:4 says that "Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem...," and circumcision of the heart is the attitude in our heart to break away from sin.   What does this have to do with the modern day believers?  Just as Paul described circumcision as the mark for God's elect for Old Testament, in the same manner baptism is the mark for God's salvation for the New Testament.  When we baptize in the Lord, our old life is buried with Christ, and also resurrected with Christ; however, does the ceremony of baptism guarantee our salvation?  Absolutely not, because just like what God told the Israelites through the prophets in Old Testament time, God wants to tell the church today: "the baptism on the outside will not save you; you need to die, bury and resurrect in the heart."   Did you grow up in the church ever since you were child, and never sincerely repeated for your sin before God?  Are you only a Christian by tradition, following the formality at church because you are supposed to, but has never been set right by God?  Are you still living by your carnal desires, and no one can see the glory of God in you?  Although you've always been in church and you've been baptized, is your life actually connected to the Lord?  If not, you can come before Jesus, and ask the Lord to cleanse you with His precious blood and to forgive you.  You can also break away from your old life by the victorious name of Jesus.  When you obey the Lord in these ways, the power that brought Jesus back to life from death will also move in your life, release you from sin and give you freedom!   If you are clear about the salvation of Christ, you need to give thanks for it!  Baptism is an important proof in your life, because God will use it as a mark to remember the covenant He made with you; not only is it a covenant of salvation, it's a personal promise that He's made with you.  You need to sing with joy because you know that you belong to God!     Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I ask your Spirit to examine my heart, to see whether my heart is in you.  May the Spirit of the Lord do in my heart what circumcision of the body cannot do for me; remove the sin and filthiness in my heart, so that I may see your beauty manifested in me.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!