The true Jew is one who belongs to God
in heart, a man whose circumcision is not just an outward physical affair but
is a God-made sign upon the heart and soul, and results in a life lived not for
the approval of man, but for the approval of God. Romans 2:29
The Cross, as the
instrument of spiritual circumcision, has to be applied to this self-life
deeper and ever more deeply, because there seems to be no end to it. But that
is the painful side, the dark side. What is happening on the other side? Is it
not that room is being made for Christ? The real seed, the seed of Christ, is
growing, becoming more and more manifest. The opposite of the characteristics
which we have been considering – strength of intellect or emotion or will – is
meekness. He said: “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Pursue this right through, and you cannot fail
to recognize that there was something radically different in the very depths of
His being.
I have said that we
cannot calculate the whole range of this self-principle, in its myriad forms of
self-expression and self-occupation and self-attention and self-pity and
self-consciousness and self-satisfaction. Even in our Christian life, in our
devotion to the Lord, we are so happy that other people see how devoted we are,
and how humble we are! And it is the self, the wretched – may I use the word? –
the stinking self, coming up all the time. For a true child of God is oblivious
of himself, has lost consciousness of himself in every way. If other people
point out something good about them, they had not realized it, they were not
aware of it. They are surprised that anyone could say anything good about them;
they are not conscious of that. And on the other side, should people be
critical and point out failings, well, they only say, “Yes, I know: I had that
out with the Lord,” or “I have got that before the Lord right now. I am not
deceiving myself about that.” This is the true child of Heaven.
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