12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
this is of course talking about physical circumcision... I believe God wants us all to have a circumcised heart... a heart with 'less flesh'... so while they say we don't have to be physically circumcised.. the circumcision of the heart... the cutting away of all excess flesh from the heart is a necessary thing for anyone who says we follow God... that is what sets us apart from others.. what makes us part of the covenant...
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
transformation is a daily struggle or task... we take longer to change than we like.. yet it is the same with weight loss.. when we lose it slowly.. by eating right.. then it stays off... and when we change slowly.. learning all the lessons God would have us to learn.. then we are truly changed... I think we are too often expecting from others what they cannot give.. they have not learned what God has taken the time to teach us.. so they are not at the maturity level we are.. and yet we get annoyed and expect something from them.. but when they see through the eyes of the flesh.. they cannot see what we see...
17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
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