Oct. 12

Charles Spurgeon · Faith's Checkbook

MARK OF COVENANT GRACE

   "And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy
   seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy
   soul, that thou mayest live" Deut. 30:6

   Here we read of the true circumcision.

   Note the author of it: "The Lord thy God." He alone can deal
   effectually with our heart, and take away its carnality and pollution.
   To make us love God with all our heart and soul is a miracle of grace
   which only the Holy Ghost can work. We must look to the Lord alone for
   this and never be satisfied with anything short of it.

   Note where this circumcision is wrought. It is not of the flesh, but of
   the spirit. It is the essential mark of the covenant of grace. Love to
   God is the indelible token of the chosen seed; by this secret seal the
   election of grace is certified to the believer. We must see to it that
   we trust in no outward ritual, but are sealed in heart by the operation
   of the Holy Ghost.

   Note what the result is -- "that thou mayest live." To be carnally
   minded is death. In the overcoming of the flesh we find life and peace.
   If we mind the things of the Spirit, we shall live. Oh, that Jehovah,
   our God, may complete His gracious work upon our inner natures, that in
   the fullest and highest sense we may live unto the Lord.