To Israel the Lord the God of Scripture made a request:  What does the Lord require of you? 

Deuteronomy 10:12 “Now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 

Deuteronomy 10:16:  So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.

Was this an impossible request from God?  If we conclude that it was, then why did He ask it of Israel, and I might ask: Why does He ask it of us?   Is it possible that we can know that we have sinned without knowing the standard that we are being measured against?

The heart circumcision (The cutting away of all that interferes with our ability to even want at all times to honor God’s commands) and without which we will not obey Him.  “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”   Without the heart circumcision we are lead down the road to disobedience by our own sinful desires.   And to circumcise the heart without God in our life is a most impossible task.  The offer of heart circumcision was God’s promise contained in the new covenant.   A promise kept with the coming of Israel’s Messiah.  A promise kept, and without which, no man can see God and live. An impossible request; without a savior. 

So, why do so many think themselves to be capable of righteousness before Him without seeking the only One, who can give to us true righteousness.  It is His blood that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.