Symbols

Colossians 2:11-14   In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

The apostle Paul is speaking to the Gentiles in regards to much of the false teachings prevalent in their society in many ways. The Jews were taught under the law that circumcision was a requirement as a public profession of faith, but Christ had fulfilled the law with atonement of sin at the cross of Calvary. The circumcision made without hands was the work done by God at the point of their Salvation. This was a separation from their lives dead in their sin, to a life in eternal paradise with Him. This is the Atonement of your sins; paid by Christ as the only pure sacrifice required for you as the central message in the Bible.

11: In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ. There is a direct reference to this scripture found in Deuteronomy 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn. The outward markings or symbols of dedication to Christ is meaningless without an inward change of the heart. There should be an inner work in you first that will come to reflect an outward change. You can profess Christ however you choose to outwardly, but God discerns your heart; and their is no saving grace in outward appearances without Christ’s inward cleansing. Christ does His work from the inside out.

All these outward things we may do to profess Christ may look good, or even make us feel good about ourselves. Crosses around our necks, fish symbols on our cars, clothing we wear, Christian tattoos; all seem to profess we are Christian. But then we put ourselves under the microscope of the lost, and many times our testimony is weakened by our outward actions. A true change of heart needs not to profess Christ symbolically, but reflect Christ. This is how we should live and keep our focus on Christ. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. A heart truly focused on God will need no symbol, for their heart for Christ will be shown through their chest, on their face, and in their deeds throughout their lives.