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But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, whose praise is not from men, but from God.

 

I love God’s timing. I just finished studying this chapter to prepare for a class next week. The entire chapter is about various forms of hypocrisy. Many of the Jewish people thought they were better than the Gentiles because they were God’s chosen people. They wanted to train the Gentiles to follow their Jewish traditions. Circumcision was a huge part of what was being discussed at that time.

 

In the preceding passage, Paul pointed out that many of them weren’t really living the way that they claimed and that they wanted to teach the Gentiles. They were relying upon their ethnic Judaism, their circumcision, and their observance of various rules. That was never what God wanted. All the laws and practices He gave them were for a purpose, but that purpose was not to behave one way in public and another in private. They weren’t supposed to look like they were good while their heart was turned away from God.

 

One of the commentators I read on this chapter said, lest we judge the Jewish people too harshly, let us remember that the same thing happens to Christians.

 

Lord, please keep our hearts always attune to You that what people see in our lives represents You well and is a natural out-pouring of the good condition of our heart. Amen.

 

Paula Barney

adminassist@livinglord.org

 

Prayer Concern: An honest examination of the condition of our heart.