The Word for Today with Ray: August 2019

Saturday, August 31, 2019

The Committed Oracles of God Romans 3:2

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “for he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”, and he added, “but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter”. He also questioned, “What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?” In chapter three and verse two of Romans, Paul answered his question, “because that unto them were committed the oracles of God” where we read:

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

The verse begins, “Much every way:” Paul began with the word, “much” which means “largely and plenteous” “every way” or “in each, all, the whole and everyone the same manner and fashion”. Paul declared the “Jews” and “circumcised” “advantaged” in “many ways” over the other nations in the world.

The verse continues, “chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” Paul added the word, “chiefly” which means “in the first place, rank, succession, influence and honor”, “because” which means “certainly, truly, and indeed for the reason” “that unto them were committed” or “to the Jews there was credited, entrusted and implicated” “the oracles” which means “the utterances, words and contents of the Mosaic law” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. The “Jews” and “circumcised” had a great “advantage” over the rest of the world because they were given “the word of the living God”.

When we meditate upon words of Paul, we see how the “Jews” and “circumcised” had an “advantage” over the “Gentiles”. They were “entrusted” with God's word, and they knew about Him and His ways. Other people in the world did not have “the law of God”, and without knowing what God was like and expected, the “Gentiles” were at a disadvantage. Nonetheless, Jesus Christ came to “save” everyone regardless of whether they are “Jews” or “Gentiles”, “advantaged” or “disadvantaged”, and now all who “believe and trust” in Him can be “saved”. Oh that all who read these words will realize their “great advantage” to have Jesus Christ as “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Paul asks the people in Rome, “For what if some did not believe?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

What Advantage to being a Jew or Circumcised? Romans 3:1

Paul the apostle told the Jews in Rome, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”, and he added, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter”. In chapter three and verse one of Romans, Paul asked, “what advantage is there to being a Jew... or what profit is circumcision?” where we read:

What advantage then has the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

The verse begins, “What advantage then has the Jew?” Paul began with the word, “what advantage” or “where is the exceeding measure, rank or need” “then” or “therefore, accordingly, consequently or these things being so” “has the Jew” which refers to “has the person who belongs to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin and religion”. Paul asked where the “exceeding rank” or position was for the person who is a “Jew”.

The verse goes on to say, “or what profit is there of circumcision?” Paul continued with the words, “or what profit” which means “what usefulness or advantage” “is there of circumcision” which means “the Jews' the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity”. Paul questioned the “usefulness” of the rite and ritual of “circumcision”.

When we consider these words of Paul, he questioned the “extra value” of “being a Jew” or having the rite of “circumcision”. Because “Jewish” people had the “advantage” of the “law of God” and being the “chosen” nation, Paul wondered if they thought themselves “better” or “more advantaged” than the rest of the world. Although Paul knew there was no “higher rank”or “profit” just because they had “status” and the rite of “circumcision”, he was willing to have them consider it even though Jesus who is the only person who fulfilled the “law of God” and was truly “circumcised” in His “heart and spirit”. Jesus opened the door for a person to “believe and trust” in Him for “salvation”, and now regardless of whether they are “Jew” or “Gentile”, “circumcision” or “uncircumcision”, everyone has access to a relationship with God.

Next time Paul answers his question to the people in Rome, “Much every way: … unto them were committed the oracles of God.”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Jew Inwardly Romans 2:29

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome, “if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,

shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?”, and he added the question, “And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law?” Paul began his conclusion to the matter by writing, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-eight of Romans, Paul completed his conclusion with, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly” where we read:

But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit,

and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The verse begins, “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly;” Paul began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “he is a Jew” or “that person belongs to a people belonging to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin and religion”, “which is one inwardly” or “who has it hidden, concealed and secret”. Paul declared the person a “Jew” who has his relationship with God “within himself” rather than just an “outward” practice or ritual.

The verse continues, “and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” Paul added the words, “and circumcision” which means “the Jews' act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “is that of the heart” or “within the soul or mind as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”, “in the spirit” which means “the simple essence which is devoid of all or at least all grosser matter, and possessed of the power of knowing, desiring, deciding, and acting”, “and not in the letter or “not in the writing, document or record”; “whose praise” which means “who have approbation and commendation that” “is not of men” or “not from human beings whether male or female”, “but” or “nevertheless and notwithstanding” “of God” which refers to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul declared how true “circumcision” is “within” a person's “soul and spirit” and not from possession of a ritual or “written document”, and this “circumcision of the heart and spirit” receives“praise” from God above and not from people.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how the true “Jew” or follower of God was not “outward” but “inward” or “within the heart and spirit” of a person. Simply having possession of God's law was not sufficient if there was no relationship with God on the “inside”. Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), and those who are wise shall not only learn what that means, but also receive Jesus Christ into their “hearts and spirits” and leave behind a dependence upon “outward” expressions alone.

Next time we begin a new chapter as Paul asks the people in Rome, “what advantage is there to being a Jew or being circumcised?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Not a Jew Which is One Outwardly Romans 2:28

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome, “if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

The verse begins, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; ...” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “he is not” which means “the human being whether male or female is not” “a Jew” or “people belonging to the Jewish nation as respects to birth, origin and religion”, “which is one outwardly” or “who is an apparent, manifest, evident and known plainly or recognized person”. Paul declared the person not a “Jew” just because they are “plainly known or recognized”.

The verse goes on to say, “... neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:” Paul continued with the words, “neither” which means “nor and not even” “is that circumcision” or “the Jews' act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “which is outward” which means “that is apparent, manifest, evident and known plainly or recognized person” “in the flesh” or “within the soft substance of the living body which covers the bones and is permeated with blood”. Paul declared how “circumcision” was not simply an outward expression in the “flesh”.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how the true “Jew” or follower of God was not made so just because they were “circumcised outwardly”. The rite or ritual of “circumcision” of the flesh didn't purify the person's heart, and just because someone followed this “outward” directive, did not ensure their relationship with God. Jesus Christ came to bring “fellowship” and “communion” with God through His death on the cross, and His subsequent resurrection from the grave insured opportunity for salvation. All “outward” expressions fall short because they are only manifested in “the flesh”, and those who worship God “must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

Next time Paul tells the Jewish people in Rome, “he is a Jew, which is one inwardly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

By the Letter and Circumcision Transgressing the Law Romans 2:27

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome, “if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,

shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-seven of Romans, Paul shared about people who, “by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law” where we read:

And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law,

judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law?

The verse begins, “And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, ...” Paul began with the word, “and shall not” which means “will not” “uncircumcision” which means “the person's condition in which the corrupt desires rooted in the flesh were not yet extinct” “which is by nature” or “that exists with the force of laws and sum of innate properties and power by which one person differs from others, distinctive native peculiarities and natural characteristics of strength, ferocity and intractability”, “if it fulfill” which means “when it is brought to a close, finished, put to an end and complete” “the law” or “of the rule which make producing a state approved of God”. Paul considered the “natural order” of “uncircumcision” when it “closes, puts to an end and completes” God's “law”.

The verse continues, “... judge you, who by the letter and circumcision do transgress the law?” Paul added the words, “judge you” which means “separate, put asunder, pick out, select, choose, approve, esteem and prefer”, “who by the letter” or “the person who through any writing, note, document or record” “and circumcision” which means “the Jews' the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “do transgress” or “break and violate” “the law” which refers to “of the rule which make producing a state approved of God”. Paul desired for the “Jews” of whom he wrote who had the “law” to make a judgment as to whether circumcised people who “violate and break” God's “law” “fulfill the law” or not.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how he meant to show how a person who keeps God's law and is “uncircumcised” compares to a person who is “circumcised” but does not keep “God's law”. Paul's question was directed to the “Jews” who had the law to judge, and the implication is that those who keep the law are more in line with the will of God than an outward “circumcision” or lack thereof. Jesus Christ came to save both “Jew and Gentile”, and whether a person is “circumcised” or not has no bearing upon their need for His salvation. Those who are wise shall know Jesus came to save everybody, and when they have this knowledge, they should “believe and trust” in Him as “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Paul tells the Jewish people in Rome, “he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Uncircumcision Counted for Circumcision Romans 2:26

Paul the apostle wrote, “for circumcision verily profits, if you keep the law: but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-six of Romans, Paul rhetorically questioned how, “uncircumcision” is “counted for circumcision” where we read:

Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,

shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?

The verse begins, “Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law,...” Paul began with the word, “therefore” which is a conclusion word that means “then, accordingly, consequently and these things being so” “if the uncircumcision” which means “whether having the foreskin which represented a condition in which the corrupt desires rooted in the flesh were not yet extinct” “keep” or “guard, watch and protect” “the righteousness” which means “that which has been deemed right in act or deed so as to have force of law” “of the law” or “of the rule which make producing a state approved of God”. Paul referred to “the Gentiles” or those nations who did not have God's law who “watched over and protected” the law of God written within them.

The verse goes on to say, “... shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?” Paul added the words, “shall not” which means “will not” “his uncircumcision” or “the person's condition in which the corrupt desires rooted in the flesh were not yet extinct” “be counted” which means “reckoned, computed, calculated and imputed” “for circumcision” or “the Jews' the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity”. Paul questioned whether the “keeping of the law” within the Gentiles would be “counted and reckoned” as though they had kept the law outwardly.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he desired to show the “rite” or “ritual” of physical “circumcision” did not “sanctify” a person. In other words, there was no advantage to having the “rite of circumcision” if the “law of God” was not kept within a person's heart. Religious activities do not save a person no matter how “sacred” they may be. Only a relationship with Jesus Christ is able to “cleanse” a person from “wicked passions” and “spiritual impurities”. God desires everyone to have a relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who paid for the “sins” of the whole world, and all who put their “faith and trust in Jesus” shall know the true “circumcision” of the heart which God is ready and willing to supply.

Next time Paul asks these Jewish people in Rome, “shall not circumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the law, judge you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Keeping the Law in Circumcision Romans 2:25

Paul the apostle wrote how “it is written”, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through” the Jews” who were trusting in their heritage, having God's word and the idea of God, and in chapter two and verse twenty-five of Romans, Paul shared about people who, “keep the law” in “circumcision” where we read:

For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the law:

but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.

The verse begins, “For circumcision verily profits, if you keep the law: ” Paul began with the word, “for” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore” “circumcision” which means “the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “verily” or “truly, certainly, surely and indeed” “profits” which means “assists, is useful and advantageous”, “if you” or “whether the Jews of whom Paul wrote” “keep the law” which means “exercise, practice, are busy with, undertake, accomplish, perform and carry on with the rule which make producing a state approved of God”. Paul shared how the “rite of circumcision” was only beneficial if the Jews “practiced and performed” God's law.

The verse continues, “but if you be a breaker of the law, your circumcision is made uncircumcision.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “if you” which refers to “whether the Jews” “be a breaker” or “are violators, lawbreakers or transgressors” “of the law” which means “of the rule which make producing a state approved of God”, “your circumcision” or “the Jews' the act or rite of the cutting away of the foreskin which represents the extinction of passions and the removal of spiritual impurity” “is made uncircumcision” which means “having the foreskin which represents the corrupt desires rooted in the flesh which were not yet extinct”. Paul shared how “violating” God's law made their ritual of “circumcision” as though it was void.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how “religious” rites have little or no meaning if the “law of God” they represent are violated. The Jews were keeping their “rituals” and religious practices and “breaking” God's law simultaneously. This “voids” and “makes null” the true worship and honoring of God, and still, Jesus came to “forgive” this behavior too. “Sin”, whether dressed in “religiosity” or spiritual practices, is revealed and exposed when addressed by the truth found in Jesus Christ, and once it is exposed, it must be repented of, turned away from and given to God. Keeping the “sacrament of circumcision” or anything else is not validated by it's outward practice, but only “represents the corrupt desires rooted in the flesh which were not yet extinct” if God's law is not “kept”.

Next time Paul asks these Jewish people in Rome, “shall not uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

The Name of God Blasphemed through You Romans 2:24

Paul the apostle asked the Jews in Rome, “You that say a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? you that abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?, and he added, “You that make your boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonor you God?” In chapter two and verse twenty-four of Romans, Paul shared how, “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you” where we read:

For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

The verse begins, “For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, ...” Paul began with the words, “for the name” which means “even as, indeed, no doubt, seeing then, verily and therefore the name is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering” “of God” which means “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “is blasphemed” or “spoken reproachfully, railed at, reviled, calumniated and evil spoken of” “among the Gentiles” which refers to “the multitudes, tribes and people groups and nations of the same nature or genus” “through you” or “by means of the Jews of whom Paul wrote”. Paul shared how God's “very nature and name” were “spoken of reproachfully” in “foreign nations” because of the “Jews” behavior.

The verse continues, “... as it is written.” Paul added the words, “as” which means “like and in the same way” “it is written” or “delineated or formed in letters on a tablet, parchment, paper or other material”. Paul referred to Isaiah 52:5, Lamentations 2:15-16 and Ezekiel 36:20-23 where God's name was prophesied to be “reviled and evil spoken of” among the “heathen and foreign nations”.

When we consider these words of Paul, we see how the “Jews” manner of “religion” actually brought “reproach” upon God's name and nature rather than “honoring” it. This happens far too often among those who proclaim “faith and trust” in God Almighty. God sent His Son Jesus to the earth to “die for” the sins of every person, and any aberration of His “forgiveness” and “grace” within a person's life only brings “reproach” and “evil speaking” upon His “name”. Let all who read these words be aware because people are watching, and should there be a misrepresentation of the “gospel”, God's name shall be “blasphemed”.

Next time Paul tells these Jewish people in Rome, “circumcision verily profits, if you keep the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.