Recently I came across a sermon outline by Joe Price titled Spiritual Surgery. (He preached it a couple of months ago). This article is basically a fleshing out of the three main points in his outline.
The apostle Paul, in Colossians 2, refers to a spiritual circumcision, using the token of the covenant between God and Israel to make an important point. “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” (2:11-12).
As physical circumcision was surgical removal (a cutting off, cf. Genesis 17:10-11; Galatians 5:12). Paul uses the same language to indicate they were to remove or put off the body of the sins of the flesh. This was not an unfamiliar concept to the Jews. In fact, Moses said something similar as he called upon the Israelites to repent of their transgressions against God in Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”
Further, the “circumcision of Christ” signifies the relationship God has with the chosen — just as under the previous covenant it was the token of God’s covenant with the physical descendants of Abraham. As Paul notes, “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). As we put off sin, and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we become the elect or chosen of God.
Another surgical procedure that has a spiritual analog is that of amputation. As a gangrenous limb has to be cut off to save the man, sometimes we must amputate spiritually to save the soul. This is what Jesus had in mind when He said, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29-30).
The perceptive disciple understands that physical mutilation is not what Jesus is calling for. After all, Paul wrote that the neglect of the body is “of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23). What Jesus established in Matthew 5 was the lust of the flesh must be denied. No matter what it takes, we must limit ourselves to what is right and righteous. Take as an example sexual activity. The Hebrew letter states, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). God requires outside of a legitimate marriage that men and women refrain from sex. They have to “cut off” any indulgence that is not acceptable to Him.
The need for self-denial is a central message of the Lord. “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23). “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). The principle of repentance demands a cutting off of sin. A sinner can’t be said to be truly penitent if he continues to practice the sin. Self-denial and a turn to holiness in life is (as Joe Price states), the “surgical instruments of repentance.” “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Finally, consider the surgical practice of implantation. Surgical implants replace lost or broken bones, they open arteries and allow the infusion of life saving medicine. Pacemakers regulate the heart, cochlear implants restore hearing and artificial lenses bring back clear sight to those suffering from cataracts.
Consider the words of James, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). The comparison is interesting. In receiving an implant, the area needs first to be sterilized. James notes that before the word can be implanted into our hearts, we must lay aside “all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.”
We also must be willing to receive the implant. With my recent diagnoses of chronic leukemia, I was in need of both immunotherapy and chemotherapy. In order to receive the drugs, I had to first get a port (which had to be removed because of insufficient sterilization), then a PICC line implanted into my veins. It was voluntary, but necessary in order to benefit from the drugs. In the same way, we must be willing to “receive with meekness the implanted word” in order to obtain the benefits, to “save your souls.”
The “Great Physician” came to earth to save you from the cancer of sin! (Mark 2:15-17). If you are lost, it is time for spiritual surgery. Turn to Him, and be healed!
