Galatian 6, 11 to 18.

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be

circumcised and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law,

but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh.

But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

Peace and mercy be upon all who walked by this rule upon the Israel of God.

Henceforth, let no man trouble me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit brethren. Amen. I visited Andrew Hopenstein in the hospital a couple times last week.

And we talked about how strange and yet not so strange it is that the more mature you become as a believer, the less

worthy you feel to be a child of God.

The reason it seems strange to us is that it's true that the closer you get to Christ, the more his character rubs off on you.

We are moving from one degree of glory to another into his image.

And yet the thing that makes it not so strange

is that the closer you get to the real thing,

that more clearly you can see your shortfall.

Andrew had this great illustration.

He said, picture yourself sweeping a hallway and it looks like you're doing a great job.

Just all the dirt moving away and then all of a sudden you move into a big beam of light coming through a window and you can see the real state of affairs,

the air is just full of dust and you wonder how in the world you can breathe that kind of air. And that's the way it is for we, for us who walk in the light with Christ.

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