Reading
SAA Notes
The Apostle now turns to certain matters, which this church wrote to him about. He states firstly what they wrote and then gives his reply. Verse 1 gives their letter and belief. Verses 2+ give Paul’s reply. Notice in verse 8, he uses the term unmarried. This includes those who never married, and those who are divorced. Since widows were commonly held to be a special group, they are named separately.
SJA Notes
* Dear God, please grant us wisdom today and each day to understand Your word to us, what You want for each of us to know.
“For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commands of God.”
This is a big passage that promotes a way of thinking that can be hard for us to grapple with.
Our relationships with each other are complex, friendships, family, at work, at school, at home, at rest and at play. Romance, dear friends, brothers and sisters, parents, children, work colleagues, old friends, new friends, church families.
Our relationships can and do cause anxiety in our hearts. Sometimes we are the cause, sometimes others are.
Our relationship with God is of prime importance. One way or another, we will all stand before the Lord on that last day (believer and unbeliever alike).
We often see the need to adjust ourselves in our relationships with others. Or perhaps we fight against that, that the other person will take us as we are. Sometimes there is give and take, sometimes not.
Paul wants us to understand that our relationship with God does not require us to enforce or enact external changes.
Our hearts are the problem we have (not how we look, how our brain works, what physical shape we are). God fixes our hearts. God gives us new life, our hearts reborn again. God alone brings true spiritual growth.
Our agency is to trust and obey.
“For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commands of God.”
This is immensely freeing when we accept the responsibility we have while accepting the sanctifying working of God in our lives.
* God Above,
Please help us understand how You want us to behave in this life, how to bear Your Name well, how to listen and do according to Your word, Your will.
Thank You Lord that Your Spirit refines us, teaches us, guides us – That You bring the growth.
Amen.