"For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh." (Philippians3:3)
Where there is a true circumcision, there is also a false. Israel was separated from all the other nations by circumcision. There is outward circumcision in the Flesh, and there is an inner circumcision of the heart. Authentic circumcision enables participants to worship God from the heart. Spiritual men glory in Christ Jesus; therefore, they do not worship men or themselves. Paul said in Roman 7:18, "For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh..." No person can please God in the Flesh when it is unaided by the spirit.
The flesh is self-centric. Sinners hate the True and living from God, and they seek no help from him. The false religious hide from God while all the time is pretending to be Godly. The repentant seek the glory that belongs to Christ alone.
Spiritual people put no confidence in the flesh. Trusting in the flesh can come in the form of a diploma, oratory, a pleasant disposition, physical strength or beauty, a responsive mind, experience, and anything that makes God's help unnecessary. Why would a repentant sinner who trusts in Christ alone place confidence in the flesh? Answer: "Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people." (1 Corinthians 8:1) When knowledge becomes an end in itself, rather than a means to know God experientially and relationally, it ruins the one who possesses it.
It is never enough for a person to hear a teaching and assume he has learned something. For this reason, the Apostles continued, "If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;." Just as faith without works is dead, being alone, knowledge without doing is ruinous. Jesus said, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24) The only thing the results from hearing speak and not acting upon it is a greater condemnation.
The result of hearing God speak and then responding to His grace in love for Him is to be accepted, approved, and pleasing to God. "but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him." (Vs.3) God is not said in verse 3 to be aware of a person but to be intimate with him. To be known by God is for God to dwell within the person, enable, and work through such a person. To worship in the Spirit is to be empowered by God to do His will, resulting in joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.
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