Marked for Witness

When the nations trembled, Israel did not rush first to battle. They submitted to the Lord’s sign, bore the pain of obedience, kept the Passover, and ate the produce of the land. Before conquest came consecration. Before the sword was raised against enemies, the flesh of the covenant people was cut. So also Paul, standing before kings, does not seek escape by flattery or silence. He confesses what God has done, declares repentance, and accepts suffering for the name without shame.

The pattern is one. God’s people are not preserved by outward advantage, but by being marked as His and walking accordingly. Lactantius says of Joshua’s act: "And in like manner in Jesus [Joshua], the son of Nun, the successor of Moses, we note: 'And the Lord said to Jesus [Joshua]: Make for yourself knives of stone exceedingly sharp and sit and circumcise a second time the children of Israel.' He said that this second circumcision would not be of the flesh as was the first, which the Jews still practice, but…" The old reproach must be rolled away. Sin must be cut off in truth, not in appearance only.

Thus Paul speaks of turning from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, and proving repentance by deeds. This is the true circumcision: the heart laid open to God, the old stubbornness cut away, the life made fit for holy service. Such obedience will often be judged madness by the world. Yet the servant of Christ must speak "words of truth and soberness," and leave his case with God. Even rulers may see innocence and still not set the righteous free. The disciple must therefore be prepared not only to testify, but to endure.