GLORYING IN THE FLESH: 2 Look out for those dogs [Judaizers, legalists], look out for those mischief-makers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances— Philip 3 AMP It is amazing, that Paul called the Jews who circumcised, mutilators of the flesh. It must be remembered that this was a cultural custom, a revered traditon, among the Jews, handed down, for thousands of years, by their father, Abraham. Yet Paul called it in sense - useless! How could he? He gives the answer. True circumcision is not that of the flesh but of the heart, of the spirit that has been born again through the operation of the Spirit of Christ! What was given to Abraham was a sign, a figure or shadow of the real thing but not the real thing. Now that the true circumcision was here, the fleshly circumcision had to fade into oblivion in light of the glory of the authentic. So we look for identity in tribes, in nationalities, in customs, in rituals, in history...but kingdoms rise and wane, tribes and all eathly identities have a begining and an end. Remember that history lesson entitled, The fall of the Songhai empire? True identity and one that you can constantly and endlessly rely on is only in Christ! The only heritage you can count on, both now and in eternity is the heavenly heritage that belongs to those who are now born again, born of the Spirit and born of God. 20 But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven Philippians 3 (The entire chapter of Philip 3 makes a good studying on this subject)
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 04:58:08 +0000
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