Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

29 Oct Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

Posted at 12:03h in English Service by

Deacon Hui Zhen - 27 November 2014

A Blessed Spirit, A Surpassing Heart

All English Service

God's love to us has never decreased, and it will never change. However, our spirits are often incompatible with God's loving heart to us because we often gauge how blessed we are according to our actions, serving, attitude in life and external conditions. Through the Sermon on the Mount, Lord Jesus emphasised that it is not what man has on the outside nor their actions that win their election and blessings in Christ, rather, it's God's deliberate revelation to His chosen ones who possess the 8 beatitudes that make them the blessed people on earth, because they are called children of God - greatly loved, greatly blessed and greatly used by God. In all things, God is most pleased with our hearts of seeking Him, loving Him and submitting to Him in our existing conditions and existing level of faith. The heart of needing-God is what that drives Holy Spirit to continuously convict God's children in all areas of lives, enabling them not only fulfilling the laws and decrees but surpassing them.

Related Topics: Knowing Jesus | More Messages from Deacon Hui Zhen

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Abram to Abraham:
The Covenant of Circumcision


In the midst of worldly busyness and distractions, it is not easy to keep remembering and trusting God’s promises. Thus, God often uses His word and our life events to remind us and help us confirm His promises. The best part of God’s covenant is a special relationship with Him, where He assures us, saying, “I will be your God.” While it is wonderful to have God on our side, such covenantal relationship with God also implies certain obligations we have toward Him. This change of identity should also change our perspective such that we live in a way which is fitting with His grace of salvation. 
 Verses to read:
<Genesis 17:1-23>

1. Change of name (identity)

  • v5: Abram (“exalted father”) >>> Abraham: (“father of many”)
  • v15: Sarai >>> Sarah
  • Name affects a person
  • Name shapes perspective and behaviour
  • Changed names so can remember and dispel unbelief
  • After name change: God’s perspective >>> our fixed perspective
  • Forget old name, register new name, and live in a fitting way

2. God’s covenant also involves man’s obedience

1) “Walk before me faithfully and be blameless” <v1>

  • Walk before God, not man, nor self
  • Man sins due to very low view of God
  • Remember that God is Almighty <v1> >>> Trust and fear Him

2) Sign of covenant: Circumcision

  • Outward sign of inward faith
  • Reminder of obligations to God
  • Similar to New Testament baptism
  • Put away old self
  • Be set apart
  • Circumcision of the heart more important:
    <Deut 10:16> “Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.”
  • Irreversible: Permanent bond between God and His people

3) Obey promptly

  • <Genesis 17:26> Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day.

4) Do not let doubts hinder obedience

  • Don’t trust our doubts more than we trust God!

5) God demands total commitment

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Preacher Hui Jun
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Huijun serves as Secretary of The Blessed RUN Ministries. She is also the Preacher at The Life Church and Missions (Singapore). She graduated from Singapore Bible College and currently lives in Singapore with her husband, Chengji.

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