Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Calluses and Epic Pain By:KB 10.14.14

REAL TALK from KB: Here's the word that was dropped into my spirit as I read my devotions this morning. It may sound a bit crazy at first but you'll eventually see where I'm going to go with it.....

Romans 2:25-29 ESV  - For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Now, this passage does speak of the physical process of circumcision and Jewish connection to the Law (Torah and Talmud) but it also addresses Gentiles as well. It speaks to free will and how we obey God.

The questions I ask myself when I read this are: have I allowed my heart to be circumcised? Have I allowed the callus of my heart to be removed? Does the word get through?

I'm going to explain this concept in basic everyday terms...tight shoes and constant friction causes soft skin to  develop calluses...the constraints and friction of the day to day grind causes the heart to do the same. We see God, we know God but His word can no longer get through because we have become callused and selective about how we follow His instruction and guidance.

The physical act of identifying was a onetime thing for Jewish males but what God is illustrating is that it's a constant and repetitive process. Like the callus from tight shoes, we must constantly "slough."

Shed the things that prevent you from communion and connection. Slough off the things that cause you pain and distract you from God.


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