Christians - True Circumcision

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. We continue our study of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 3v3 (AMPC), Paul writes “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–”. The NLT says “For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort,”. Paul here is making a case about who are the real Christians, the real worshippers of God, and he makes various points.

It is worth looking at Philippians 3v2 (AMPC) where he had cautioned the Philippians by saying “Look out for those dogs [Judaizers, legalists], look out for those mischief-makers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh.” The NLT puts it this way “Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.” Basically, there are the legalists who were saying that one had to be physically circumcised to be saved. Paul’s first point here is that is not the case. We may hear different things about what constitutes being a child of God and what one must do to be saved, but we need to be careful to know what God says about it. First, those who are truly circumcised worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God. Remember Jesus said “A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).” John 4:23-24 AMPC. Hallelujah. Are you worshipping God in spirit and by the Spirit of God?

Prayer
Father, we thank You for Your word this day and for calling us Your own. We thank You for true circumcision is of the heart, worshipping you in spirit and by the Spirit of God, not about physical mutilation. Help us to indeed be true worshippers for those are the ones You seek. Blessed be Your holy name forever more in Jesus name, amen.