Putting off the body of sins

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, - Colossians 2.11-13

Circumcision is often used by Paul to illustrate the result of our salvation. Though it is not something we talk about in 'polite society' today it was common in Paul's day. The Jews all knew about circumcision it was just part of life.

Without going into unnecessary detail circumcision is basically cutting away of the flesh. It was, and is, part of being a Jew and it continues in some others cultures even today.

It is a very clear image of what Paul is talking about here. He uses it to illustrate the cutting off of fleshly living that came at salvation.

This 'circumcision made without hands. putting off the body of sins of the flesh, circumcision of Christ, and such is clearly meant to have an impact on how our lives are lived out. Our spiritual circumcision means that the deeds of the old flesh are cut away. It means that we are dead in our trespasses and sin but we are now alive in Christ.

We are alive with Christ! Can we ever fully grasp that? Alive in Christ with our sins forgiven.

The problem that we Christians must ask ourselves is if our lives reflect what has been to, for, and in us. Do we live like the body of flesh has been cast off? Do we live like we are alive with Christ? Or do we live like sin still has power over us?

We are not going to achieve perfection – but we can achieve a walk in ‘newness of life.’