Circumcise the heart

Dear brethren

Today's readings
Deuteronomy 10-14; Psalm 5; Luke 8

Deuteronomy 10:16 (KJV)
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.

It is interesting that even right from the start, the "circumcision" of the heart is far more important than that of the flesh. (c.f. Rom 2:25-29) But as it was, the Jews chose to focus on the symbol rather than what it actually entails. Such stiffneckedness and hypocrisy was taken "to the next level" when the Pharisees peddle the religion of profit and human tradition. Choosing to focus on the superficial and ommit the "weightier matters of the law" (Mat 23:23)
If we are not careful, we too can find ourselves caught in this situation.
Obviously, fleshly circumcision does not apply to us anymore, yet the principle of a circumcised heart still remains. And similarly, when we choose to disobey or neglect the Word of God, out hearts remain uncircumcised. And just as the uncircumcised Jew was to be cut off (Gen 17:14), the Christian whose heart becomes and remain uncircumcised will ulimately be rejected.

Let us continue to be admonished, learning from the mistakes of the past and not allow ourselves to be stiffnecked and hardened, but be contrite and tender-hearted, and make our election sure, all the days of our lives.