25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.
28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.
Tori's Comments -
Okay, he lost me a little in the first paragraph but I think I have got the gist of it now.
But the second paragraph really floats my goat. How God cares more about the state of your heart obeying the law. Like the widow who put two coins into the offering in Mark 12:41-44.
"And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people." (vs. 29) Do I do this? My people-pleasing heart already knows the answer.
I have just put this in my planner as my goal for the week, though: Seek praise from God, not from people.
Terrie's Comments -
This must have rocked the Jewish world hearing this from Paul... It's no wonder they sought to kill him. They prided themselves on following the law and circumcision was a sign between them and God... or at least a sign that they were "God's chosen People". Now Paul is telling everyone that gentiles that follow the law and are not circumcised are better than those who are circumcised if they don't follow the law.
Bottom line is that God cares about a changed heart. It is also clear that the heart change that pleases God is worked out by the Spirit. Once the heart is changed we will seek the praise of God rather than the praise of men. I guess that is a good check point as to how we are doing. Do I care more about what God thinks or am I making this decision based on what others think? Hmmmm good question.
Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)