The New Covenant was designed by God to circumcise the heart, making it possible for God's laws to be written in our hearts and reflected in our behavior.

Circumcision was the sign God gave Abraham indicating that his descendants would ascend to greatness, acquiring physical and spiritual blessings.

If we surrender to God, allowing Him to shape character in us, He will enable us to live in hope, giving us direct access to Him, giving us a more abundant life.

Nominal Christendom cannot see God's law even though it is in plain sight. In Colossians, Paul reiterates or alludes to all but one of the Ten Commandments.

Israel experienced a type of baptism in passing through the Red Sea on the last day of Unleavened Bread. Baptism symbolizes death, burial, and resurrection.

Like the marriage covenant, counting the cost is the most serious part of the baptismal agreement, not something to be taken lightly.

Following Jesus requires absolute commitment, often involving sacrifice and discomfort. We must be willing to give up family and societal ties for God's sake.

Jesus resisted Satan with the knowledge of God, resisting appeals to vanity, using power selfishly resisting to lust of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life.

One's word is not worth a whole lot these days in the world. But God listens to what we promise, so we had better perform it!