I started out like this. Many years ago.
So what is the circumcision of Christ?
Once Hebrews were circumcised to belong to the tribe.
But then Paul tells us that those that are circumcised are not the circumcised, or the such.
No time to look for the exact verse right now. There are a few, I think I'm remembering Romans. (not sure).
Also, you mention something about how this circumcising changes us.
Do you believer we retain the sin nature but have dominance over it?
Or do you believe we lose the sin nature?
Part Two
First, did you notice that the Trinity takes responsibility for Spiritual Circumcision? In Deut 30:6, it says God will Circumcise the human heart. Rom 2:29 states that the Spirit produces this work, and Col 2:9-15 indicates that it is Christ whom Circumcises hearts. God, the Spirit, and Jesus all Spiritually Circumcise hearts. That, my friend . . . is incredible. If the Trinity takes responsibility for Circumcising hearts, we’d stand up and pay hardcore attention. This is serious, serious business.
This is only the beginning, for the entire Bible revolves around this principle. And incredibly, the most Holy Word, “Circumcise,” is what causes people to stumble, for those who still possess their Sinful Nature to continue to live in their shame. Do you recall how Adam covered himself out of shame? That’s right . . . he saw his uncircumcised self and was ashamed. This concept appears many times in the Old Testament and can be identified by searching for “skirts” and how “shame” is always related (as in, it is shameful to look up another’s skirt). So those who remain under this Curse will, by default, be ashamed and offended by it and refuse to accept the concept and principle. Yet, the Bible is so clear that a seven-year-old could easily comprehend it.
“Once Hebrews were circumcised to belong to the tribe.”
Yes, God told Abraham that if anyone refused physical Circumcision, they were to be cut off from the Covenant Family, the Family of Circumcision.
Genesis 17:14 NLT –
“Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant."
Physical Circumcision was the Lord-implemented way of a person indicating that they received the Circumcision of Christ. I don’t know if any of the Saints were aware of this, but this is, in fact, what physical circumcision reflects . . . it is the outward expression of Faith. Sound familiar? After Christ, water Baptism replaced physical circumcision, as Baptism was all-inclusive, whether male, female, Greek, Jew, slave or free. Incredibly, the Jews actually taught and believed that their physical circumcision procured Holy Salvation. They were wrong.
Acts 15:1, 5 NLT - 1 “While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: "Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved." ... 5 “But then some of the believers who belonged to the sect of the Pharisees stood up and insisted, "The Gentile converts must be circumcised and required to follow the law of Moses."
“Do you believe we retain the sin nature but have dominance over it?”
I think you now clearly see and know the answer from the Scripture above. God, be Him God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit, the Sinful Nature is to be Circumcised from the unregenerate hearts of the Elect. Like the foreskin of a man’s phallus, the foreskin is cut away and permanently discarded. A clear and distinct change has been made, and particularly in their day, this was an utterly irreversible “operation.” Further, what man, after having been physically circumcised, wished that he could go back to his previous state? Right . . . to desire uncircumcision after having received circumcision would be a rather odd thing to do. Likewise, when the Sinful Nature is cut away and removed, it would be insane for the new Believer to want to return to what they once were.
Suppose the Sinful Nature is only to be tolerated, or perhaps dominated, as you suggested. In that case, it flies entirely against the many Scriptures that clearly show what Spiritual Circumcision is all about. Unfortunately, preachers and teachers of today do not discuss this all-important matter. Thus, few have likely ever heard of these incredible passages offered above.
“Or do you believe we lose the sin nature?”
Yes, the removal and release from the Adamic Curse, which includes that incorporated Sinful Nature, is the Purpose of Christ. How Christ has been performing this action since at least Able, the very first prophet, is the primary element of His Holy Work.
Wondering, there is so much more to back up this position, for once a person’s eyes have been opened, this will become more and more apparent.