seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Corinthians 7: 17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
OK... I thought since I was studying Marriage yesterday, Paul would move to Divorce today.... nope... back to the cutting of the thingy again.This is from the commentary. Warning, it's odd!
How could one become uncircumcised? “Some Jews, for fear of Antiochus, made themselves uncircumcised, 1 Maccab. 1:16. Others for shame after they were gained to the knowledge of Christ, as here. This was done by drawing up the fore-skin with a surgeon’s instrument.” (Trapp) “By frequent stretching, the circumcised skin could be again so drawn over, as to prevent the ancient sign of circumcision from appearing.” (Clarke)
Paul's still talking about his "new restrictions". Paul's still explaining that it is acceptable to be uncircumcised, or eat food that is not kosher. He's saying it's no big deal if you are a slave, a prisoner, or a free man... Jesus loves you. Paul didn't have to wait until he was no longer under house arrest to talk. He made it happen anyway. He found a way to "preach" his story. No... you do not have to stretch your thingy to be in the Christian Church. That's not what the guy who wrote this in the book of the Maccabees [not in my Bible but in other's] meant. Paul can really "preach". I really believe he talked so long; a guy fell asleep and fell out a third story window. Now he's back on the circumcision discussion. I know, for men the cutting [or the stretching] of the thingy is definitely something to think about....BUT... it's the wrong topic... IMHO.
The point Paul is going on and on about is this. Jesus will take you just the way you are.... your thingy doesn't have to be "fixed" before you accept Jesus. You don't have to memorize the kosher deli's menu or stop eating candy before you accept Jesus. You don't have to quit smoking or drinking before you accept Jesus. You don't have to have all your bills paid or have a certain amount of money in the bank. You don't have to be married before you accept Jesus. You don't have to get rid of your miserable womanizing old man before you accept Jesus. You don't have to clean the kids up and dress them is starched clothes before you accept Jesus. You don't have to join the right church, join the correct political party, or burn any Bible that is not "certified KJV" by the church before you accept Jesus. You don't have to kiss the pope's ring 5 times and turn on your heals perfectly, before you accept Jesus.
Jesus loves you just the way you are.
