11 Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Tori's Comments:
To never boast about ANYTHING other than the cross...to deny yourself so completely... means to credit every good thing that comes of me as God's hand and not my own. And to tell people of it, to testify of the work He's done in my life.
"For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus."
Terrie's Comments:
This is what stood out to me today as I read...
"Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. "
As we commit our lives to Jesus Christ and nail our sinful desires there with Christ we shift our interests away from this world and we are focused on the things of the Spirit. As we shift our focus away from the things of this world it is only natural that the world's interest in us also dies. It is a sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ... but the cost is noting compared to the eternal benefit here on earth and eternally.
"What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God."
As we live by the leading of the Holy Spirit we are transformed into a new creation. God's peace and mercy rest upon us who live by this principle!
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!
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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 :-)