April 15, 2025 -- Philippians 3:1-3 -- To Glory in Christ Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 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 3:1-3
 
We are the circumcision. What has been circumcised is not our flesh, but our hearts. The seat of our love, our decision-making, and our thought processes. Our heart has been circumcised by the work of Jesus Christ. Think of it this way, the thumb drive which instructed the computer has been pulled and the new thumb drive has been inserted. It is virus-free. It is wholesome. It will direct the computer into full and proper function. When the believer is in Christ, everything changed. No wonder you can’t help but change your words, your thoughts and your actions.
Now, I know it, we are not computers. But I like the illustration, we are given this new thumb drive, a whole new way of living. By the will of the Father, through the accomplished work of Jesus at the cross, and the accompanying power of the Holy Spirit we are the circumcision. We have been given power to obey, but we chose if we would obey or rebel. What will help believers implement the new life that is theirs in Christ?
 
We worship by the Spirit of God. Jesus already foretold this in John 4, when He spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. She wondered what would change when the long-promised Messiah presented Himself to His people? Jesus answered. He declared believers would worship in Spirit and in Truth. The Spirit would be poured out on all people (Pentecost). The Spirit of God would make the word of God living, precious, relevant to each person who allows himself to be governed by the new drive given us in Christ Jesus. The Spirit Who rested fully, without measure on Jesus, is the same Spirit Who fills you.
 
We glory in Christ Jesus. It seems like a throw-away phrase, doesn’t it? Remember the word glory carries with it a sense of weightiness. It is interesting what has weight, or pull, in our lives. For example, the desire to spend time with good friends will, for some people, make them rearrange their schedule, neglect important duties, to create more time for friends. The weight of the friendship, the glory of the friendship, takes precedence. To glory in Christ Jesus is to have Him be the weightiest Person governing our schedule. Our worship revolves around Him. By His blood we have access to God the Father. As we think about Him, the poison of our sinful past is revealed to us with more clarity, and we are heartily ashamed of all our sinning. We desire Him to cleanse us more fully and deeply. We are saved. But we want the effect of that salvation to reach every part of our lives. That is sanctification.
 
Our confidence is not in our flesh. It is not in our ability to keep the law. Our identity is found in Jesus Christ. We are the people who rejoice in Him because He is our rescue story. We are alive in Christ and our life now draws others who are dead in their sins and trespasses but are now stirred up by the Holy Spirit to seek out that new life they see in us. That wonderful expression in Christ that Paul used so often reminds us it is the Spirit of God Who stirs in us an ever-increasing longing hope that the glory of Jesus will fill our desires, orient our senses and compel us to act in ways that show we are walking with Him to the New Jerusalem.
 
Faithful Father blessed be Your Name for the extravagant love You have shown us in Christ Jesus. Spirit of God teach us deep and true worship so that we will glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. As this new life which is ours in Christ fills us and directs us, may the people around us note how we rejoice in Christ Who is our strength, our song and our salvation. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/zmt5VNnrJIM?si=NGpDWENOwZOVYdd0 I Stand Amazed
 

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