Obedience Can Be Painful

Yesterday, I posted that God commands obedience and that obedience is better than sacrifice. When God approaches Abraham in Genesis chapter 17, He not only reminds him of the promises, but informs him on what he must do. God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and all the males that are with him. This is to become a covenant between them and God that will last forever. From that day on, every male child was to be circumcised 8 days after they were born. Abraham immediatly does what God has asked him to do. He gathers every male that is with him from infants on up and circumcises them. This is painful no matter how old you are, but the older you are the worse it is. I want you to know today that God still requires this act to be performed in our lives. The difference is that God now requires it to be of the heart. Paul tells us that it is not the physical cutting of the flesh that God requires, but the giving of our lives to Him. As believers, we are to cut away things in our lives that are hindering our walk with the Father. We are to cut away those things that bring confusion, doubt, fear, and disconnect. It is not always pleasant to cut things out of our lives, but it is neccessary to Grow in God. The Bible says that if they were not circumcised, then they would be cut off from God. I don't believe there is anything in this world worth that. What is it that might be hindering you from getting closer to God? What is it that you may need to circumcise or cut away today? Whatever it is, do it and do it quick. It may be painful, but the pain only last for a moment and then joy. God bless