By Allen White
Watch out for those dogs, those men
who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the
circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus,
and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such
confidence.
Philippians 3:2-4 (NIV)
Traditions
are hard to leave behind. There’s a certain comfort in depending on what is
familiar. But what happens when those traditions get in the way of what God
wants to do in our lives?
Circumcision
presented a particular dilemma for the early church. God directed Abraham and
his family to be circumcised as a sign of identification with God as His people
(Genesis 17). Following Jesus’ death, however, identification with God’s Son
superseded any outward sign. The Jewish believers weren’t willing to give that
up. But, salvation comes by grace through faith, not from works. To require circumcision
was to ask for more than God was asking.
Let’s make this
personal. What are you depending on other than Jesus to have a right
relationship with God? Is it looking a certain way or sounding religious? Are
you more focused on serving than on the Son?
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