1 Corinthians 7:19, Circumcision Is Nothing

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

The Christian life is the grace of living out the character of God as declared summarily by God in the Ten Commandments even in the Word of God. There is a consistency between the heart and the hand. God is glorified in such a life. The essence of God’s law is nothing less than the expression of God’s character – His holiness and His love. True holiness and true love begins with a transformed heart. There is an inner holiness and love present in the heart. It is not a mechanical outward obedience of the Pharisees. That’s not true righteousness, Jesus pointed out.

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus says the “form of godliness” taught by the scribes and Pharisees will not bring you to heaven. It’s a serious statement here. The Pharisee is one whom the people thought is an authority about things of God. You mean He is a blind guide. Yes this is what Jesus is pointing out and Jesus’s entire ministry is to point the way back to God through Him! The Pharisee will squabble whether one is circumcised as a true representation of life with God. Nothing is further from the truth.

Thank God for His mercy to show us the way to God through His Son Jesus Christ. Amen.