Getting Things Rolling

"For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh..." Philippians 3:3

In Joshua chapter 5, the Israelites are finally on the west side of the Jordan and preparing to possess the Promised Land. The Amorite kings had heard about the miraculous parting of the Jordan river and their "hearts melted" with fear. Seemed like a great time to launch an attack, but God had a different plan. Joshua 5:2 says, "At that time the Lord said to Joshua, "Make flint knives for yourselves, and circumcise the sons of Israel again the second time." Verses 4-6 explain that the second generation of men who were born in the wilderness had never been circumcised. Ok...but now?! On the verge of battle, all their warriors were to undergo this painful procedure? It didn't make sense...why couldn't they have done this on the other side? But Joshua obeyed and they had to stay where they were until the men were healed. The Lord said, "This day I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." And the name of the place was called "Gilgal", which means "rolling".

Jon Courson says, "Gilgal, or literally, "the place of rolling," was the place where the reproach of Egypt was cut away as the Israelites reinstituted the practice of circumcision that had been abandoned in their wilderness wanderings. The Israelites had been "baptized" in the Jordan River. And Gilgal is a picture, an illustration, of what happens next in the Spirit-filled life. You see, after we put our foot in the Jordan River and say, "Lord, fill me, flood me, and use me," how do we get things "rolling"? I believe the key is circumcision."

What does circumcision represent in New Testament life? The physical act of circumcision was introduced by God in Genesis 17 as a sign of His covenantal relationship with Abraham. But the verb "to circumcise" or to "cut off" is also used in Scripture to describe the "heart" attitude (see Deut 10:16 & Jer 4:4). Physical circumcision is a picture of what God wants to do in our hearts. Cutting away the "fleshly" part purifies, sensitizes and identifies us with Him. It is a private mark, reminding us of our covenant with the Lord.

But practically, what does this mean? I return to Philippians 3:3, "For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh." Circumcision of the heart has to do with worshipping in the Spirit, rejoicing in Jesus and not relying on ourselves. It is a cutting away of anything "fleshly" that causes us to rely on human power rather than God's. We may think we're ready to march into battle, but God wants us to first learn to worship in Spirit and place all our confidence in Him.

Jon Courson offers some interesting commentary. He says, "Who is the true circumcision? Those who worship God in the Spirit. I take this to, at least partially, allude to worshipping God in the Spirit rather than solely with one's understanding. He quotes 1 Cor 14:18-19, "I thank my God that I speak with tongues more than you all; yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding..." Paul is encouraging the private devotional usage of tongues and discouraging the public outbursts. I pray often in tongues. It's an important part of my prayer life because I need to be built up, because I get discouraged, because I don't know how to pray, because I'm limited in my expression. As I pray in the Spirit, I am free to pray from my innermost being."

I too, value the gift of tongues in my devotional prayer life. Often, when I feel the Spirit begin to move strongly in me, this gift wells up from within. It is so freeing to express my heart to God at times without the limitations of my mind. 1 Cor 4:4 says, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself..." So tongues is the least of the gifts because it doesn't edify others, but important nonetheless. One thing is certain - when speaking in tongues, my flesh is rendered useless. It is a completely spiritual interaction, which can be very healthy for me.

So perhaps the gift of tongues is one way to "get things rolling" in the Spirit. I am not asserting that you have to speak in tongues to be filled with the Spirit, although this does seem normative in Scripture. Certainly you don't need to experience this gift to be saved. But we shouldn't be critical of a gift because of misuses and abuses in the church. Paul affirms the use of tongues, but states guidelines for corporate use. I believe all the gifts described in Scripture are for today. (I'm trying to figure out how to link a paper on this subject).

In any case, when we move into the the Spirit-filled life, there is a "cutting away" of our flesh that needs to occur. We don't want anything to dull our spiritual senses. We must be purified and sensitized to the voice of God so we can walk with Him in this new realm. I encourage you to take this before the Lord and ask Him what it looks like in your own life.