As we come to CHRIST JESUS by faith our hearts are circumcised. GOD writes His statutes and commandments upon our hearts and places a desire and a will within us to know, to love and to obey Him. Our flesh... our carnal nature...is crucified. We are cleansed, our sins forgiven and we are righteous before GOD. The sign of our blood covenant relationship with GOD is not an outward circumcision of the flesh, but the circumcision of the heart. Apostle Paul told the Romans: "For he is not a (real) Jew who is only one outwardly and publicly, nor is (true) circumcision something external and physical. But he is a Jew who is inwardly, and (true) circumcision is of the heart, a spiritual and not a literal (matter)..." [Romans 2:28--29]. He told the Colossians: "In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but in a (spiritual circumcision (performed by) CHRIST by stripping off the body of the flesh (the whole corrupt, carnal nature with its passions and lusts). (Thus you were circumcised when) you were buried with Him in (your) baptism, in which you were also raised with Him (to a new life) through (your) faith in the working of GOD (as displayed) when He raised Him up from the dead" [Colossians 2:11--12]. Without this spiritual circumcision of the heart, there can be no covenant relationship with GOD! It is through faith in the Spirit of GOD working within us that our hearts are circumcised, not through our own futile attempts of trying to crucify our flesh. Our righteousness is *by faith,* not in works. Our dependence must not be upon ourselves... our own ability... to live a holy life in obedience to GOD, but upon the Spirit GOD has placed within us to accomplish His righteousness in us. In obedience to GOD'S command to keep the covenant through circumcision, Abraham took Ishmael and every male in his household and circumcised them that very day! [Genesis 17:23]. The blood covenant between GOD and Abraham was *sealed* by Abraham's act of obedience, when he demonstrated his willingness to offer up his only son, Isaac. *To inherit the covenant blessings of GOD, we must keep the covenant by walking in obedience to GOD.* GOD requires obedience under both the Old and New Covenants. Don't allow anyone to tell you that obedience to GOD'S commandments is no longer necessary under the New Covenant. It is! The difference is that under the Old Covenant, in their sinful state, it was impossible for the Israelites to obey the Law. Under the New Covenant, JEHOVAH GOD has given us the DESIRE, the WILL and the POWER to walk in 100% obedience to GOD! (This topic continues, Genesis 22:1--18).