“for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
We are vulnerable when we are asleep and when we are unclean.
Being circumcised is when a male feels very vulnerable but the act is practically and symbolically one of cleansing.
It seems significant that as Joshua prepared to enter the promised land he obeyed the Lords command to make flint knives and circumcised all the males.
An action for their cleansing from the previous season removing all the dirt and grime of the previous 40 years but one that made them vulnerable and from which they needed rest to be healed before embarking on the next season.
The Israelites previous older generation never went into the promised land because of their disobedience, it was the offspring who had been born along the way hence this necessity.
The Lord told Joshua “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” meaning they would step completely freely into freedom from slavery. Shame has been rolled away and the place named Gilgal.
It seems as if we too are stepping over a boarder into a promise right now. It seems that we have been vulnerable and yet have had space to be cleansed and healed and made ready for a new wholeness and freedom.
Whilst the enemy would have us identify with being slaves, orphans and shame-filled Gods promise has always been the opposite. He extends now a spacious enriched and beautiful place for us to take ownership of and encounter Him within.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
We are in Christ and He in us and therefor also have been cleansed by our vulnerability, a circumcision in the heart that has cut away the flesh and impurity in us.
“For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,”
We were dead in sin but given life by the work on the cross.
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
However, it is clear that our obedience in purity is paramount. Christ knows our heart. Just as God knew his people.
“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.”
Our freedom is as we consecrate afresh and extend our identity in Christ. We will not run from giants but as David have faith and trust in God and require nothing else.
We will step over the border walking in courage, strength and grace and power.We awaken to see what is to be.
“for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
The illustration shows Christ awakening us to an awareness of us being ready and waiting, cleansed and healed and fit to go forwards into our promised land to slay giants and become the generation we were destined to be. Light pushing back darkness.
Five Scriptures that come to mind:
“For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So it was their children, whom he raised up in their place, that Joshua circumcised. For they were uncircumcised, because they had not been circumcised on the way. When the circumcising of the whole nation was finished, they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” And so the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day.”Joshua 5:6-9 ESV
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,”Colossians 2:8-11 ESV
“And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”Colossians 2:13-15 ESV
“You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” 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.”Romans 2:23-29 ESV
“for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.””Ephesians 5:14 ESV
The song Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me. City Alright
https://youtu.be/hwc2d1Xt8gM
Lessisgreater 