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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