(REFLECTIONS ON Colossians 2:11-15)

Circumcision in the Old Testament was a covenant sign given to Abraham and his descendants. It was a physical act, performed on the male body by human hands, and was a visible sign of participation in God’s covenant.

Circumcision was a physical sign that belonged to God’s covenant people and symbolized separation from the world and union with God. However, as we all know too well, a physical sign sometimes is just an outward marker, which does not translate to inward change and commitment.

There are many outward markers, signs, and symbolic elements to our Christian faith. However, are these things an outward expression of our inward submission to our Lord and Savior? Or, are they just ways we can look the part, without having to play the part?

Yet what is new in Christ is that it is no longer about a circumcision of the flesh, but rather a complete removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.

The circumcision of Christ, is not just a physical act, done with human hands, but is a circumcision made without hands, done by Christ and through Christ, and is a change the occurs from the inside out.

The removal of the body of flesh means that in Christ it isn’t just about our outward flesh, but more about the circumcision and change of our hearts.

The circumcision of Christ is being buried with Christ in baptism, being raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, and a cancellation of the certificate of debt, that was nailed to our flesh, by nailing it to the cross.

The circumcision of Christ offers real change, relationship, and victory over the flesh. Death no longer has victory, but in death there is life, eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57

55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; 57 but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us then no longer just live with a faith of the flesh, putting on a good show, having all the outward signs, but none of inward change of life in Christ.

The certificate of debt against us for our sin against God has been canceled and nailed to the cross. Let us rejoice in victory and live a life of freedom in Christ, and use every ounce of strength He has blessed us with to worship and serve Him.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Colossians 2