Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

29 Oct Abram to Abraham: The Covenant of Circumcision

Posted at 12:03h in English Service by

Preacher Huijun - 18 June 2015

Being Called Into A Blessed Lineage

A man is driven by his identity. Not only the identity of man decides what he does or does not do, it also determines his destiny. As we embark on the four gospel books, God wants us to get right with our identity first. Through the genealogy of Christ, God wants to draw the link between us and the family of Jesus. We're born into this blessed lineage not by our good conditions or favourable traits. In contrary, we often see the sinfulness, unholiness, how lowly, scandalous and dubious we are - yet God love all of us and chose us into His blessed lineage out of His sovereign grace, and give Christ to us so that we can be reconciled with God through Christ. God uses many examples of "Fallen" men to tell all believers that although they may look despicable in the eyes of men, nothing can stand in between the grace of God -- all imperfections of men can be covered by the precious blood of Christ and be used for the kingdom's purpose. When we let Christ be the king of our lives, always acknowledging Him in all things and let Him be the yardstick of all our standards, we will see the faithful and gracious God lifting us up and enables us to transcend the earthly struggles. For when we're called into His blessed lineage, we've been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessings in Christ, thus we're more than conquerors as children of God. Therefore, Jesus said - go sin no more. We who're born again by the Spirit of God, our destiny have changed. No matter how vulnerable we are, we can call upon God and receives the help of Holy Spirit to resist the insinuations and temptations that attack us and walk in the blessed living God has given us.

Related Topics: Knowing Jesus | More Messages from Preacher Huijun

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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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