1 Corinthians 7:18, Every Man According As He is Called

1 Corinthians 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

The converted Jew should not be ashamed of his Jewish background. His circumcision does not impede his Christian testimony at all. He should accept his past for who he is and rejoice now for what God has done for him in Christ. Likewise, the heathen man who is converted need not follow the Jewish ceremonial law of being circumcised to be accepted into the Christian community. Although salvation begins with the Jews it must by no means be construed that the ceremonial law of circumcision has been carried over to the Christian faith. The Christian is baptised by water as an outward sign of his inward faith. He need not be circumcised following the Jewish ceremonial law. It has been abrogated in Christ.

William MacDonald said applied well, “We might also interpret this verse to mean that if a Jew were converted, he should not be afraid to live on with his Jewish wife, or if a Gentile were converted he should not try to flee from that background. These external differences are not what really count.”

Let every Christian be at peace with his past whatever background it may be. In Christ, he is accepted and blessed. Amen.