It Starts Small

 ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Colossians 2:11-15

a circumcision not performed by human hand

Circumcision was a profound theme that Paul passionately revisited throughout his epistles. For centuries, the Jews believed this ritual set them apart. It elevated them in the eyes of God and the rest of humanity. In its essence, circumcision symbolized the sacred covenant between the Almighty and His chosen people, the Jews. Yet, it’s crucial to recognize that Abraham had a deep faith. His intimate relationship with God existed even before he underwent this rite of passage.

But in the time of Paul, faith was cast aside and the tradition of circumcision was held in high regard. The Jews believed that by adhering to the law with unwavering zeal, they could earn God’s favor. They clung to numerous traditions like circumcision, meticulous handwashing, strict observance of the Sabbath, and the offering of sacrifices. Yet, in the depths of their hearts, true regeneration was absent. They remained blissfully ignorant of their own sinfulness. This led to a woeful lack of repentance. Instead, they placed their trust in their deeds, with circumcision standing as the cornerstone of their misguided faith.

In Paul’s fervent letters to the church, he passionately emphasizes that God has another focus. God has never been primarily focused on the outward ritual of circumcision. Instead, what truly matters to God is the profound circumcision of the heart (Jeremiah 4:4). In this powerful passage, it is beautifully referred to as “circumcision made without hands.” It is also called the “circumcision of Christ.” These terms highlight the deep spiritual transformation that lies at the core of faith.

What is this?

⁵ he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:5

The transformation of one’s heart through unwavering faith in Christ is breathtaking. This transformation leads to the shedding of the old self! Salvation is not, and never has been, secured by our good works or adherence to the law. It is a beautiful act of God’s mercy, His divine work in reviving our lifeless hearts. Are you in any way clinging to the illusion that your own good deeds can earn you favor with God? Going to church is a noble action. Reading the Bible is also commendable. Praying is indeed a virtuous act. Giving to others is honorable, but they cannot save your soul! Beware, for even these good actions can become mere rituals. Worse, they might become idols that we mistakenly trust instead of Christ. Let us not cast judgment on those who may not strive as we do! Our good deeds should be a heartfelt response to God’s incredible grace, not a smug habit born of arrogance. Take a moment to fervently pray to God. Lay bare any prideful thoughts or self-reliance. Thank Him passionately for His unmerited mercy and grace!

buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith

³ Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Romans 6:3-4

Paul uses the symbolism of baptism powerfully. It vividly illustrates a believer’s transformative journey. This journey spans from life before to life after conversion. Baptism stands as a profound symbol of our old lives and sins being dramatically washed away. This is depicted by the act of being fully immersed in the water. The moment of rising up from the depths mirrors the glorious new life we embrace in Christ. In a striking parallel, Jesus was laid to rest in the tomb. He rose again with a new life and an astonishing new body. His resurrection inspires us all to experience that same powerful resurrection!

For believers, the moment we are born again signifies a breathtaking transformation of our very existence! The old self, with all its burdens and failures, is utterly dead and gone. This death gives way to a vibrant new life in Christ. Verse 13 passionately declares this truth, stating that “you were dead in your sins” yet now “God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins.” What profound grace and exhilarating hope!

What does this mean?

It means that when you place your faith in Christ, an incredible transformation occurs: your sins are forgiven! Every person walks in darkness before conversion, utterly separated from God, incapable of pleasing Him in any way. We were spiritually lifeless, with even our best deeds amounting to nothing more than filthy rags in His sight. No amount of sheer willpower could ever enable us to vanquish our sins. The immense weight and guilt of those sins crushed us. But then comes salvation, a miraculous gift that changes everything! The burdens of our sins are lifted away, and through the strength of Christ, the believer becomes an overwhelmingly powerful conqueror (Romans 8:37)!

Our application must be two-fold and fervent! First, we should express our gratitude to God. We lift our voices for the incredible work He has accomplished within our hearts. Secondly, we are called to walk boldly in the newness of life! We possess the divine resources necessary to triumph over sin; we merely need to seize them with fervor. Oftentimes, achieving victory over temptation boils down to uttering a heartfelt prayer to God, “Help me!”

having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness

Debt is a vivid illustration of the turmoil we face before coming to Christ, resonating deeply with our contemporary experience. Picture a man ensnared by an insatiable urge to gamble, drawn repeatedly into the dimly lit casino halls. With every visit, he spirals deeper into a chasm of debt. In a heart-wrenching bid to reclaim his losses, he turns to family. He also reaches out to friends. He is desperate to borrow funds from anyone willing. His credit cards are maxed out, his home now a pawn in this high-stakes game. The casino’s credit lines vanish as he digs himself into an abyss so profound that escape feels impossible. The sheer magnitude of his financial obligations overwhelms him, rendering his salary a mere drop in an ocean of debt. This cycle of reckless choices becomes a suffocating weight. It crushes his spirit and extinguishes his joy. It strains every relationship he holds dear. Hope flickers like a distant star, seemingly out of reach, leaving only darkness where light once existed.

Then one day, his life changes forever when he encounters a super rich man who writes a blank check and declares, “Your debt is paid.” Overwhelmed with joy, he feels the glorious weight of his burdens lifted—he is free once again! Just as he is about to walk away, the man adds with fervor, “Don’t gamble anymore.” This profound act mirrors what Jesus has done for us. He has eradicated our debts. He willingly bore the consequences on His own shoulders. Not because He had to, nor because we deserved it, but purely out of an immeasurable love and boundless generosity. While we cannot repay this gift, let this act of love ignite a fervent desire within us to love Him back. Let it transform our lives. It should help us break free from our old sinful habits. Imagine if the man from our story returned to gambling. People would see him as the most foolish soul on the planet. He would be considered ungrateful. The same holds true for us when we spurn God’s grace and revert to our former ways.

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Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 7:19
• Galatians 6:15
• Jeremiah 4:4
• Galatians 2:20

Discussion Questions

• What is a circumcision made without hands?
• What does it mean to put off the body of the flesh?
• In what way have you been raised with him?
• How is your life different after salvation?
• What does it mean to be dead in trespasses?
• What “debt” did you owe to God prior to salvation?
• Could you ever pay it off yourself?
• How was this debt dealt with?
• How would a person normally respond if someone else paid off a huge debt for him?
• What should you do for God since He paid this debt for you?
• What rulers and authorities were disarmed? How?

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