THE EXTERNALS
I Corinthians 7:17a, 20, 24
"But as the Lord has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk .... Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called .... Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called."
Paul used this conversation about marriage to lay out another principle – that Christianity is not about external things such as marriage, circumcision, or occupation (slave or free). It is about the heart. When a person accepts Christ as Savior, he does not have to leave an unbelieving spouse, get rid of his tattoos, or change employment unless he can better serve the Lord in another job (see vs. 21). It is true that we are new creatures in Christ and our lives change when we become believers. But the externals of life are not the issue. They do not make a Christian. As Paul said, "Keeping the commandment of God is what matters" (vs. 19b). Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The essence of Christianity is not the external but doing God's will from the heart.
Have an "essential Christianity" day. Love you.
I Corinthians 7:17a, 20, 24
"But as the Lord has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk .... Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called .... Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called."
Paul used this conversation about marriage to lay out another principle – that Christianity is not about external things such as marriage, circumcision, or occupation (slave or free). It is about the heart. When a person accepts Christ as Savior, he does not have to leave an unbelieving spouse, get rid of his tattoos, or change employment unless he can better serve the Lord in another job (see vs. 21). It is true that we are new creatures in Christ and our lives change when we become believers. But the externals of life are not the issue. They do not make a Christian. As Paul said, "Keeping the commandment of God is what matters" (vs. 19b). Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
TODAY'S THOUGHT: The essence of Christianity is not the external but doing God's will from the heart.
Have an "essential Christianity" day. Love you.
No comments:
Post a Comment