1 What advantage then,is there in being a Jew,or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What if some did not have faith? Will there lack of faith nullify God,s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written: So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge. Romans 3:1-4 NIV.
What identifies you as a Christian? Do you have a fish symbol on the back of your car? Years ago maybe you had a WWJD bracelet or a cross on a chain. Would you say that I am a member of Pioneer Baptist Church or that you have a baptism certificate to prove you are a Christian?
Of course there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of these things but do you believe that any of them will justify you before God?What actually was the value of circumcision? Did the circumcision itself make the Jews righteous? Did the blood of a goat or a bull really have saving power? Of course not. Jews found salvation through faith. The faith they had in obeying and relying on God looked forward towards the Cross just as our faith in Jesus looks back to it. Either way we are both justified by faith in Christ. In verses 3 and 4 Paul asked what if the Jews were unfaithful? Does this mean God will not fulfill his promises to Abraham? No! God is faithful and will keep his word regardless of ones faith. God is faithful and will keep his promises regardless of our actions.
While we are on the subject, how do others know that we are followers of Christ? Should the world expect us to look different? One of my least favorite sayings is " Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven. This is true but it seems every time I hear that phrase it is used for the pursuit of license instead of liberty. Jesus said in Matthew that a good tree bears good fruit. We've talked a little about judging lately and I don't think any of us want to be judged by the world but shouldn't we at least expect them to be fruit inspectors.
John
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This reminds me of the Steven Curtis Chapman song called "The Change". You can search for it on YouTube. Basically, he states that it is not the symbols that make you a follower of Jesus Christ. He says in the song "What about the change, what about the difference, what about the Grace, what about forgiveness?" It is not about what we say or do, it is about what we believe. Belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior should cause a tranformation in us. Essentially, we are not longer who we were, we are a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17)
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