“... a true Jew is one whose heart is right with GOD.  And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a CHANGE of HEART produced by the Spirit.  And a person with a CHANGED HEART seeks PRAISE from GOD, not from people.”   -  Romans 2:29

There is real transformation.  True circumcision.  It is not merely obedience, but transformation.  The result of that obedience is transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit.  The fruit of the Holy Spirit.  It is more than just an overflow.  It’s a lifestyle -- that is, it is lived through out -- daily.  Truth applied.  Word applied.  It is lived out.

And a changed heart seeks praise from GOD, not from people (v29:b).  His desire is not to please men, but to please GOD.

The heart has a tendency to become proud because of the knowledge one has gained overtime.  It becomes boastful; full of pride.  It has a tendency to look down on others; and we sometimes praise ourselves for thinking highly of ourselves over others.

Is it human nature?  How does one remain humble?

And Christians are not exempted from this.  We become biblically intellectual; we gain so much knowledge overtime.  We learn GOD’s truth, but we become like the Pharisees, too because of our prideful and self-righteous heart.

God, how do we avoid that?  We become great with theology; we pride about knowing apologetics and other theological terms.  What has happened to the heart?

The once child-like heart -- one who is pliant, teachable, innocent, obedient, a heart that listens attentively.  What has happened to that heart?  We grow in our knowledge, yes.  We grow spiritually, but we too become offenders to others who know little about Christ because of spiritual pride.

What are we building on?  Is it our relationship with GOD?  Or is it our mind -- to fill it with theological truths but not practicing them?

Jesus, no wonder Paul tells us to fix our eyes on You.  Our example -- One who knows all yet is humble.  You are a King, yet You lived with the outcast. 

You chose Your disciples not among the people with rank; but You chose fishermen and tax collectors, and even prostitutes.  They were not highly educated.  But You used them mightily.  You used them to share the Gospel.  They were not to boast about themselves.  

“He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.” - 1 Corinth 1:28

They didn’t think highly of themselves,  but they were to proclaim GOD’s truth.  The glory, honor and praise were for GOD, and not for them.  Who was their focus?  It was You, Jesus and not themselves.

Life is not about us.  It is all about Him.  

-S.L.H.  Weaved in His Image (09.05.2018)

by Charles Spurgeon

"And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul that thou mayest live." - Deuteronomy 30:6

Here we read of the true circumcision. Note the author of it: "The LORD thy God." He alone can deal effectually with our heart and take away its carnality and pollution. To make us love God with all our heart and soul is a miracle of grace which only the Holy Ghost can work. We must look to the LORD alone for this and never be satisfied with anything short of it.

Note where this circumcision is wrought. It is not of the flesh but of the Spirit. It is the essential mark of the covenant of grace. Love to God is the indelible token of the chosen seed; by this secret seal the election of grace is certified to the believer. We must see to it that we trust in no outward ritual but are sealed in heart by the operation of the Holy Ghost.

Note what the result is - "that thou mayest live." To be carnally minded is death. In the overcoming of the flesh, we find life and peace. If we mind the things of the Spirit, we shall live. Oh, that Jehovah, our God, may complete His gracious work upon our inner natures, that in the fullest and highest sense we may live unto the LORD.