Category Archives: Relationships

Bible, Circumcision, Covenant, Relationships, Salvation, Scripture

THE TRUE CIRCUMCISION

COLOSSIANS 2:11

“and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ,”

Circumcision isn’t exactly dinner talk, is it? It’s a routine procedure done on most male babies. I do not need to go into detail about what is done. I am sure you know about it. The decision to circumcise a baby boy belongs with the parents. They decide whether or not to allow the doctor to perform the procedure. The baby has no say in the matter. If they did, they would all probably say “no.” lol

Paul is not talking a physical circumcision for believers but is using it as an analogy. The Greek world was well aware of the act of circumcision, even though many of them had not been circumcised. The Jewish ritual of circumcision was an external mark on all male Jewish babies to signify the covenant they had with Jehovah. Jesus fulfilled all our covenant requirements, negating the necessity for a physical circumcision. Instead, our mark of covenant is on our hearts.

APPLICATION

In Romans 2:25-29, Paul gives a more complete discussion of this topic. “25 For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a violator of the Law, your circumcision has turned into uncircumcision. 26 So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will his uncircumcision not be regarded as circumcision? 27 And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a violator of the Law? 28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. 29 But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from people, but from God.”

I know that was a lengthy passage but hang in there. There is nothing we can do outwardly to “cut covenant” with Christ. Our covenant is of the heart. Our surrender and our identification with Christ is internal and eternal. No one can command you to do a specific act to guarantee your salvation. It is strictly through Jesus.

Whether you are male or female, circumcised or uncircumcised, your salvation is totally dependent on your personal relationship with Jesus. Make sure your heart has the mark of spiritual circumcision which Jesus places there upon your salvation. That is the true circumcision.

Father, thank You for circumcising my heart and making me Yours.

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Bible, Grace, Reconciled, Relationships, Scripture

THE GREAT RECONCILER

COLOSSIANS 1:20

“and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”

Reconciliation is a term we use when two parties are at odds with each other and there is an attempt to solve the problem. This sounds easy, but it’s not. Depending on the people involved, this can take a long time. Sometimes, unfortunately, things are never reconciled, and the break is permanent. I have had to experience this in my life. It is painful and hurtful. But we know God heals all wounds. He is the Great Reconciler.

Strong’s Lexicon tells us, “the verb apokatallassó is used in the New Testament to describe the complete and thorough reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the total restoration of a relationship that was once broken due to sin. This term is stronger than the simple form katallassó, indicating a full and complete reconciliation.” Paul is the only Bible author to use this word, and he only uses it three times, once in Ephesians and twice in Colossians.

APPLICATION

In Ephesians 2:16, we see Paul use this word. Let’s back up to verse 15 to get the full context. “15 by abolishing in His flesh the hostility, which is the Law composed of commandments expressed in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two one new person, in this way establishing peace; 16 and that He might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the hostility.” The purpose of God’s reconciliation was peace. It still is.

We will see Paul use this word in Colossians 1:22 in a couple of days. So, with today’s verse and these other two uses, we have the only three times this word is used in the New Testament. That made we wonder something. Since reconciliation is such a big deal, why is it only used three times? That’s a question I will file away and ask the Lord one day.

Remember this from today’s verse. Reconciliation is the total restoration of a relationship that was once broken due to sin. This applies first and foremost in our relationship with God. But it also applies to our human relationships. Sin is what breaks relationships. That sin could be in the life of one or both of the people involved. Keep your life walking in the Spirit so you will not satisfy the desires of the flesh. Amen?

O Lord, thank You for reconciling me back into a perfect relationship with You. Help me do that with others.

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Attention, Bible, Commands, Faith, Honor, Love, Relationships, Scripture

OH, I’VE HEARD ABOUT YOU

EPHESIANS 1:15

“For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,

We have all probably met someone for the first time and upon introductions, they say, “Oh, I’ve heard about you.” I usually respond, “Well, I hope it has all been good.” People hear things about you. Sometimes that is good. Other times, well… We are never quite sure what they heard or who told them. Who told them matters because they could have swayed the story in one direction or another. That’s why we should live above reproach, right?

Paul is bragging on the Ephesians in today’s verse. He had been told, since his absence from them (he had spent about three years there), how they were showing love for each other and about their faith in the Lord. Living in Ephesus wasn’t easy for a believer. Paul knew that firsthand. They were surrounded by pagan temples and occultic behaviors. But they were remaining faithful.

APPLICATION

1 John 4:7 tells us, “Beloved, let’s love one another; for love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” What better way to show we love Jesus than by loving each other. We are told over and over again how important it is to love one another. The world is watching how we treat one another. Believers must love one another.

I love what Romans 12:10 says. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;” I really like the last part of that verse in the ESV. “Outdo one another in showing honor.” Isn’t that good? “Outdo one another.” Look at that combination. It is possible to honor someone without loving them. But it is not possible to truly love someone if you don’t also honor them. Remember that.

Love one another. It sounds so simple, but we let the things of the world influence us. We allow our flesh to creep up and snatch that love right out of the air. We allow the influences of the evil one to spout forth from our tongue. Before you know it, we have damaged the very one God has called us to love. Today, love one another. Let the words told about you shout love.

Father, I want to be known as someone who loved his fellow man. Love through me.

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Affection, Beloved, Bible, Chosen, Compassion, Favor, Godliness, Intimacy, Love, Relationships, Scripture

BELOVED

EPHESIANS 1:6

“to the praise of the glory of His grace, with which He favored us in the Beloved.”

To call someone “my beloved” implies a deep, personal, intimate relationship. My wife is my beloved. My children and grandchildren are my beloved. The fellow down the street whom I hardly know is not. He cannot be the object of my love since I do not know him. As we go through this verse today, think about your beloved(s).

Paul uses a title which has been given to Jesus by the Father. Elliott’s Commentary explains the word, “Beloved,” this way,
“This special title is given to our Lord to mark a connection with the ‘love’ declared in the last verse (verse 5) to be the source of God’s predestination. It is a love to all mankind, as in God’s foreknowledge already made one with His beloved Son.” Jesus is God’s Beloved. He is the recipient of His love.

APPLICATION

Let me get technical for a second. “Beloved” is the dative passive participle of agapao, which is God’s divine love. The dative case means someone is the recipient of the action of the verb. In this case, Jesus is the recipient of God’s agape love, His divine love.

Have you ever wondered why the apostle John uses that word, “beloved,” so much in his writings. Just to show a few:

1 John 3:2 – “Beloved, now we are children of God…”

1 John 3:21 – “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us,…”

3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper…”

We are told in John 13:23, “There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.” Look at that. John was the recipient of Jesus’ love. He was Jesus’ beloved friend and confidant. He was the one to whom He entrusted his mother at the cross. You have to be close to do that. So, John knew something about being called “beloved.”

You are God’s beloved child. He cares for you. He knows you better than anyone. He longs to hear from you. He cherishes each moment you spend with Him. You are His beloved! So, live like it. Love others. Make them your beloved. Treat them like your beloved. You can through His love.

I am so blessed to know that I am Your beloved, my God and my Redeemer.

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Bible, Commands, Love, Relationships, Scripture, Testimony

THROUGH LOVE

GALATIANS 5:6

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.”

I’ve been married now for over 38 years. I have to admit that I haven’t always been the best husband. I could have done things better. I could have spoken kindlier. But through Christ’s power, I have improved. I do things for my wife because I love her, not to gain her love. I want to serve her because of my deep love for her. I think that is the biggest lesson I have learned these past 38 years.

Paul makes this statement in today’s verse – “faith working through love.” Albert Barnes described this in this way, “The true faith is that which is seen in benevolence, in love to God, in love to all who bear the Christian name; in a readiness to do good to all mankind. This shows that the heart is affected by the faith that is held; and this is the nature and design of all genuine religion.” I like that. And then we have this observation – “Faith makes a man seek to do the will of Christ; love tells him what that will is.” (Elliott’s Commentary for English Readers)

I believe this is exactly what Paul was telling the Galatians.

APPLICATION

Love – they say it’s what makes the world go round. But what kind of love. It’s definitely not worldly love. The only true love is the love of Christ. Look at 1 John 3:23. “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” Loving each other is not a suggestion. It is a commandment. We have to love one another.

Jesus told us this in John 13:34-35, “34 ‘I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.’” How can you argue against that?

What is sad is so many believers don’t love each other. It’s no wonder the world looks at us and writes us off. If we, as believers, cannot love each other, how in the world can we love the lost in this world and lead them to Jesus? Today, seek out someone who needs your love and show them. You will be blessed.

Father, help me love those around me today with Your love.

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Bible, Imitation, Influence, Relationships, Scripture, Witnessing

JUST LIKE ME

GALATIANS 4:12

“I beg of you, brothers and sisters, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong;” 

When I travel internationally, I intentionally try to embrace the foods and customs of where I am traveling. They eat differently than I do back home. They may take morning and afternoon tea breaks. They certainly dress different, and in some countries, they drive on the opposite side of the road. I have to become as they are. If they came to the U.S., they would have to adjust their way of living temporarily.

Similarly, Paul is explaining to the Gentile believers there in Galatia how he had become like them, giving up the keeping of the Mosaic law. He had become like them. So, he implores them to become like him. “Imitate me,” he says. Paul tells them to do as he is doing, not like those who are trying to put them back under the Law. They are free in Jesus now. There is no need to follow the Mosaic law anymore.

APPLICATION

In I Corinthians 9:19-22, Paul explains this idea more fully. “19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some.”

Now, that was a long passage, but I wanted to share it to show you how Paul did it. We can do the same. Paul became like others, without embracing any sinful lifestyle, to reach them for Christ. Who can you reach that way? Is there a certain group of people you can “become like” to reach? Jesus never expects us to lower His bar of holiness, but He does expect us to lower ourselves in humility. There’s a difference.

This week look around you and ask the Lord who you could “be like” in order to win them to Christ. I am sure there is someone in your sphere of influence whom you could come alongside to lead them toward a saving knowledge of Christ. And be like Paul – don’t be offended by them. Love them like Jesus does.

Some people are hard to love, Lord. Love them through me.

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Battles, Belief, Bible, Caregiver, Compassion, Eternity, Fear, God's Will, Love, Relationships, Scripture

FEAR FOR OTHERS

GALATIANS 4:11

“I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.”

Oh, how I can relate to this verse today. I know people who do not know Christ. They have not placed their faith in Him as Savior. I know without Christ that their eternal destiny is doomed. I fear for them. I know some believers who are not living for Jesus. There is no fruit in their lives. I fear for them that they are missing out on such blessings. I pray they all will surrender fully to the Lord Jesus.

Paul’s words here state the same fear for the Galatians. He had just scolded them for returning to the former things in their lives. Now, he says he fears for them. He is fearful that there are no basic principles in their lives. Has he wasted all his time with them? The word “labored” means he really worked hard. He gave his all to teach them.

APPLICATION

I have felt that way in my ministry from time to time. There have been days when I felt like all I was doing had no eternal impact on people’s lives. They didn’t seem to “get it.” When I see men, in whom I have invested months and months of time, turn back to their former manner of living, it grieves me deeply. We are warned against that. Proverbs 26:11 reads, “Like a dog that returns to its vomit, so is a fool who repeats his foolishness.”

How do we, as believers, deal with this fear for others? Simply put, we trust in Christ. We trust in the almighty hand of God. We pray. We continue to reach out and try to influence both our lost friends and family and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus told us in Matthew 5:16, “‘Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.’” We can all do that.

Today, let your walk with Christ be so bright that others ask you how you do it. Point them to the Word that is their guide. Point them to prayer which is your communication piece with God. Show them how, when you fail (and we all do) how you get back up in the strength of the Lord. Make an impact today. Don’t give up.

There are those in my circle for whom I fear, Lord. Help me direct them to You and Your love.

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Abiding, Bible, Children, Family, Father, Intimacy, Parenting, Relationships, Scripture

DADDY!

GALATIANS 4:6

“Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, ‘Abba! Father!’”

Oh, the joy that feels my heart when I hear my children say, “Daddy.” They don’t say it as much anymore. It’s been shortened to “Dad” now. My daughter will still call me daddy sometimes, but only when she wants something. (Just kidding, Casey) There was just something about hearing them holler “Daddy” when I would come home from work or a trip. It thrilled my heart.

Paul uses the Aramaic word, Abba, here in today’s verse. I was surprised to see that this word is only used two other times in the NT and only 9 times in the OT (2 in Ezra and 7 in Daniel). In Mark 14:36, Jesus uses it as He prays in the garden on the night before His crucifixion. Paul uses it in Romans 8:15 in a similar way he uses it here in Galatians. The word Abba means father but in a more tender way. Some translations use the word “daddy.” I like that.

APPLICATION

Can you just picture it? Jesus, kneeling in the garden, praying earnestly to His Father in heaven. And in the most intimate of ways, He calls Him daddy. I am not trying to be irreverent. Quite the contrary. By showing Jesus’ intimacy with the Father, we see His human side. In the same way, we can call our Father in heaven daddy. Abba Father.

As I mentioned, Paul uses this same word in Romans 8:15. “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’” We have been given the right as His children to call Him daddy.

As I picture this word “daddy,” I see the image of a child crawling up into their father’s lap, snuggling up under his chin. Maybe the daddy is reading to them or maybe the daddy is just listening to his child. Whatever the conversation is, be sure it is two-sided. In the same way, our talks with our “daddy” in heaven is two-sided. Let’s talk and also listen. He has much to say.

Abba, Father, I praise You. I truly want to be close enough to hear Your voice when you speak my name.

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Bible, Devil, Division, Evil, God's Will, Harmony, Identity, Perfection, Relationships, Scripture

JUST WHO ARE YOU

GALATIANS 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

There is a lot of confusion about people today. People are choosing to identify as all kinds of other people or things. I heard recently about an elementary age child who thinks they are a cat. So, the school has to supply him with a litter box. I am not kidding. Way too confusing for me.

In today’s verse, Paul simplifies things. He says, “you are all one in Christ Jesus.” No longer do they have to think like a Jew or Greek. Whether you are slave or master doesn’t matter. The societal restraints against the sexes also fade away. He was making sure they knew that we are all together now in Jesus.

APPLICATION

How do you identify? Well, I’m Baptist so I can’t associate with those Catholics. Or We Methodists cannot go to that service because it’s being led by that Lutheran guy. We still wear our labels. No one is greater than the other in Christ. We are equal. Give each other room to grow.

I believe Paul says it best in Ephesians 4:4-6. “4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” We are one. We are united in Christ. We no longer need to be separated into classes or groups.

So, why do we have all these Christian denominations? I get asked that sometime by non-believers. They wonder why we can’t all get along. Good question. But as long as we are here on this earth, we are going to have divisions. Let’s strive to unite. Let’s strive to present a united front against the evil one. We are one!

Lord, thank You for showing me who I am. I know I am in You and You are in me.

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Accountability, Advice, Allies, Battles, Bible, Conflict, Confrontation, Direction, God's Will, Harmony, Relationships, Scripture

STRAIGHT FOOTED

GALATIANS 2:14

“But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, ‘If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?’”

I used to love to mow grass. Just the task of getting it done and seeing the finished job was calming. That probably sounds strange, doesn’t it? In my last children’s home job, I would occasionally hop on our zero turn mower and mow some of the large fields on campus. The key to keeping a straight line is to look down the field and find a spot to go towards. You have to watch your tire tracks to keep them straight also. My dad taught me that. Going straight just made the field look nicer once I was done.

Paul and Peter aren’t mowing grass in today’s verse. But the principle I just shared is applicable. Paul saw that Peter was not walking straight in regards to the teachings of Christ. The Greek word for “they were…straightforward” is orthopodeo, which is from two Greek words – orthos (straight) and pous (foot). This word is only used here in Galatians 2:14. Peter had strayed from the straight path. He was off course, and Paul had a moral and spiritual obligation to confront him publicly for this public display.

APPLICATION

Sometimes we do things that are not “straight-footed.” We get off course. We stray. We are headed down the wrong path. Isn’t it great when someone confronts you? Not really! No one wants that. But it is so necessary. I have had to confront friends who were not walking straight. Friends have confronted me, as well. John tells us in 1 John 5:16 “If anyone sees his brother or sister committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will, for him, give life to those who commit sin not leading to death.”

Even Jesus gave us instructions in this matter. In Matthew 18:15-17 we read, “15 ‘Now if your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that ON THE TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.’”

Now, all that may sound too confrontational for you. I understand. It’s not easy to confront a brother or sister. It’s not easy to be confronted. But if we live that way, holding each other accountable in love, we would have so much less need to do it. As for you, be willing to receive correction when given. None of us are perfect. Amen?

Oh Father, thank You for friends who will confront me in my sin to help lead me to walk “straight-footed.”

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