Praise, not of men but from God

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.” Romans 2:29
~
Over time I’ve found that this ‘cutting away’ of the heart becomes ever more difficult for me. Its not due to any lack of grace on Christ’s part. Its due to an ever hardness of the heart due to sin. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13).
~
The outward manifestations of ‘missing the mark’ may not bubble to the surface but deep within lurks the abiding evil of sin… “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
~
And so like many of you I open the scriptures to shine its spot light of truth on the hidden areas of the heart. It’s not always easy… usually it’s painful when you really see your heart in the light of God’s mirror… but such observances are so needful!
~
Such research goes unnoticed. It goes unpublished and certainly unpraised. No medals, awards, or certificates are given… for who honors the person who gazes at… weakness. At the ugly underbelly of fallen human character… a character that gets coated with makeup or decked in a fine suit…
~
No, the truth of what really is going on inside is truly a ‘scary picture’… a ‘horror show’ lite by the glimmer of deceit and disgust… and it is this acknowledgement that sets us right with God. For when our masks come off then do we truly see the brilliance of God’s holiness… our tremendous need for redemption… and to hear him whisper, “Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)
~
"It is no great thing to be humble when you are brought low; but to be humble when you are praised is a great and rare attainment." Bernard of Clairvaux
~
‘Lord, thank you for the opportunity to recognize my fallen human nature and with it see a glimpse of your awesome glory and mercy!’