04.022. Marks of a True Church
Marks of a True Church
We are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh-- Php 3:3.
Here seems to be an occult reference to the Trinity. Worship of God the Father, rejoicing in Christ the Son, and having confidence only in the Holy Spirit.
These are the marks of a circumcised or separated people:
Spirituality of Worship, in contrast to formalism, ritualism, and estheticism.
Satisfaction in Christ Jesus, as opposed to secularism, worldliness.
Dependence on the Holy Spirit instead of fleshly energy and works.
They seem also to belong in this order also; for one of the first lessons is that of real devout communion with God (Matthew 6:6). Nothing is more necessary as laying true foundations for godly living. It enables us to practice the presence of God, and hallows all honest and honorable toil, making it a divine vocation. Then we need to have Christ revealed to us within as an indwelling life and power. The sense of nearness and dearness to Him--“My Beloved is mine”--causes ecstasy. The soul, enamored of Him, feels no more the charm of lesser things; comp. Paul in this very chapter (Php 3:1-21). And then we learn a third lesson, that the flesh--the carnal nature--is incapable of anything spiritual--of holy affections or activities. We become watchful against the energies of the flesh, lest they displace those of the Spirit.