For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3.3)

In our modern time we do not see ready parallels to the Judaizers of Paul's day and our own. But we only need to step back and admit we continue to add unnecessary stages to being a true Christian. Can we admit we have those same pharisaic tendencies? One says to be a true Christian we must affiliate with a particular political platform. Another says we must abandon our antiquated beliefs governed by ancient texts. One says build up higher hedge laws around our faith, another says tear them all down and reject absolute truths. These are our modern day Judaizers, emphatic about their disruptive beliefs and demand others concede to their whims through outward and verbal expression.

But Jesus, the glory of our hearts, does not demand of us visibly external acts. Jesus desires invisibly internal response. Jesus calls to us as the seed of Abraham, through whom God established the rite of circumcision, and reminds us what the Holy Spirit spoke through Moses: God will circumcise our hearts and the hearts of our children so that we might holistically love Him with our hearts and souls. Access to God the Father is glorious. Confidence in our security before God is worship-inducing and we glory in Jesus, the One who circumcises our hearts.

We need not swing the pendulum from ultra soul-constricting conservativism or soul-loosing liberality. We stand assured that we can bring glory to Jesus through our Spirit-filled worship knowing that we are His and He is ours.

Jesus, thank you for cutting to the heart. Help me find my joy and security in you and identify the areas of my life where I try to earn salvation through communal belonging.