Meet Your Maker, Vol. II

"That circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, that the distinguishing mark of a true follower of Christ, of one who is in a state of acceptance with God, is not either outward circumcision or baptism, or any other outward form, but a right state of soul - a mind and spirit renewed after the image of him that created it - is one of those important truths that can only be spiritually discerned."

Since the first Confirmation meeting, I have joked with the kids telling them that there would be a test at the end of the eight weeks. Truth be told, there is a sort of test. One that they will take in front of the whole congregation. When I told them this at the last Confirmation meeting, there were frightened looks and questions like "Is it going to be cumulative, or over everything we have talked about?" and "Is it multiple choice?".

It was during these questions that Adam entered the room. He then sat down and said something akin to this:

"Listen, it's not so much about your answer as much as it is about the feelings and intentions attached to it."

And he is absolutely right. Anyone can stand in front of the congregation and give acceptable answers. We see actors do it all the time, right? Last night I watched a movie called Valkyrie starring Tom Cruise. In it, he plays a Nazi officer and several times throughout the movie he expresses support for the Nazi agenda - it's how he came to be an officer, right? But does Tom Cruise yelling "Heil Hitler!" make him the Nazi that he portrays in the film? Of course not. It's not the words and the costume that make a man this or that, but the true intentions and emotions behind his actions.

This idea goes well beyond the veil of Hollywood, too. We all know that giving is an important part of faith. We spend part of each year learning about it and it is even part of our vows spoken and accepted in order to become a member of the church. But if you read the Scriptures carefully, there is more to giving than the exchange of money (or whatever the case may be, but we will stick with money for now) from one hand to another. In Matthew 6 you read about somebody who boasts about his great givings and another who gives "secretly." The first gives for his own recognition, the other clearly does not, and it is he/she that is recognized by God. In 2 Corinthians 9 we read that "God loves a cheerful giver" and that we should not give "reluctantly or out of compulsion." Are you seeing the pattern here? Giving is important, yes, but held in even higher regard, I believe, is the motive behind the giving. John Wesley refers to this as "a right state of soul."

Later on in the same sermon, Wesley states:

"To be more particular, circumcision of heart implies humility, faith, hope, and charity."

These are all things that can be shown outwardly, to be sure. But that is not what Wesley is aiming for. His emphasis is not on the outward appearance of such things, but of the inward validity of them. We are not the judge of these things he speculates as he declares they can only be found to be true through spiritual discernment.

Jesus held the same stance when he spoke unto the Pharisees:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." Matthew 23:25

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So there you are. The first of many. Please, please, please feel free to comment! These would be great discussion-oriented posts!

Mike