The wilderness generation had the outward sign of circumcision but lacked the faith to enter the promised land. This new generation had the faith but lacked the sign. God was uniting the external symbol with the internal reality.
This warns us against two deadly errors: trusting in external religious practices without heart transformation, or claiming internal faith without external obedience. True biblical faith always produces corresponding action, and genuine obedience always flows from heart transformation.
Many people assume they’re Christians because they were baptized, grew up in church, or can recite doctrine. Others assume their good intentions matter more than actual obedience. Both miss the point: authentic faith transforms the heart and produces visible fruit.
The New Testament makes clear that true circumcision is of the heart. It’s not about religious ritual but about spiritual reality. The question isn’t whether you’ve performed religious acts, but whether you’ve experienced heart transformation that results in life transformation.