Expressing Our Lives
"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 ESVThe Holy Spirit wants us to understand where and how our lives are to be expressed. We have already worked with the "worship by the Spirit of God," so today we will consider what "and glory in Christ," can mean.
This is one of those easily overlooked phrases in the middle of two very obviously important ones - the "worship in the Spirit," and "put no confidence in the flesh." So, I know I have, just overlooked this middle phrase. But as we know, every word of the Lord is important, so let's work with this one for a few moments.
The common word for "glory" is not used here. This is the word primarily used for "to boast or to brag." As people of the true circumcision, circumcision of the heart, our boast is in Christ Jesus. In other words, we brag about Him, what He has done, is doing and will do - according to His Word. We are not like those who live in the flesh and brag about their family, accomplishments, education, economic status, position, favorite team, and on and on we could go. Our thought process is in the Spirit. Therefore, we only have one main thing on our minds - Christ Jesus.
I know this is so very foreign to us. Yet, that is the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The more we understand He is Lord and grab hold in our hearts of the awesome work He has accomplished, Jesus Christ becomes our preoccupation and our prize. Anything else, is less than Spirit and would be classified by Paul as of the flesh.
This is part of the process of transformation. You will notice I have not used the word "should" in this post. That is because this is an action of the Holy Spirit in us as we lean and begin to consciously live in the realm of the Spirit of Christ. Our tongues begin to confess the truth of the Spirit instead of the passing fact of our circumstances and our lives begin to brag about Jesus everywhere. It will happen in us as we attach ourselves in Spirit to His truth. We will be defined as those of the true circumcision - who worship/serve in the Spirit and brag on Christ Jesus! It's working in us - allow and enjoy Him.
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