This episode reiterates the main theme of the last several episodes, that belief in Christ as the Messiah is essential if one were to consider himself/herself a true Jew. Almost all early Christians (30-42 A.D.) were Jewish, and they would not have maintained that their belief in Christ was a peculiarly Christian contribution, as opposed to the god of the Jews. The God of Abraham and the God of Moses pointed to the second person of the Trinity. The New Testament authors and Christ Himself affirmed that true Jewishness required accepting Christ as the Messiah, Paul even arguing that physical circumcision without the circumcision of the Spirit accounted for nothing, and one's claim to be a Jew was spurious. (Romans 2:28-29, 1 Corinthians 7:19) The last part of the episode addresses the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. Ezekiel had predicted that future believers would receive the Spirit and consequently keep God's law. (Ezekiel 36:27) Christ spoke of this regeneration as necessary for entering into the kingdom of God. (John 3:6)
Let Him Who Boasts, Boast in the Lord
This episode centers on "religious" work, noting that activity not motivated by love of God and neighbor doesn't qualify as "good" work. Christ derided Jewish efforts to make proselytes in which converts became "twice the sons of hell" as those proselytizing (Mt 23:15) The context of Christ's woes against hypocrisy highlights the exaltation of man-made religion to the expense of the Great Commandments. Paul later took issue with Judaizers in the early Christian church, who prioritized circumcision over sanctifying faith. Outward observance of circumcision by converts became a badge of boasting in which Judaizers made "a good showing in the flesh." (Gal. 6:12) Religious work not born out of the Great Commandments ("gold, silver, precious stone") is burned up at the judgment seat of Christ, for it does not qualify as a "good" work. (1 Cor 3:12-15) The episode also cites modern-day "boasting in the flesh." Altar calls designed to elicit quick professions of faith, often by ignoring or understating the necessity of repentance, have become the predominant badge of boasting in evangelical circles. This "wood, hay and straw" motivated by flesh will be burned up. Unfortunately many who are manipulated into reciting the sinner's prayer will also be burned up, because they hypocritically professed Christ as lord, as evident by their pursuit of lawlessness. (Mt 7:22-23) In summary then, if hypocrisy and carnality can undermine religious work, even rendering as rubbish the deeds of regenerate believers, can the works of unbelievers possibly be described as "good?"
A Roadmap of Repentance from the Old Self
This episode begins the unpacking of the full implications of repentance from the old self, which is the ultimate objective of repentance from dead works. Repentance from the carnality of the old sinful self requires discernment of what is fleshly and what is spiritual. This discernment is made possible by the circumcision of Christ. The "cutting away of the body of sin" makes carnality evident and the believer is able to discern flesh from spirit. The discernment made available by the circumcision of Christ is amplified by the Scripture which cuts between soul and spirit, exposing believers to their own carnality. The believer in sanctification is called to continually repent of carnality made evident by the circumcision of Christ and the Word of God.