Following Christ-Rediscovering the Jewish Faith of Jesusಮಾದರಿ

Day 28: Both Jews and Gentiles

In 1 Corinthians, Paul makes some interesting statements. To paraphrase 1 Corinthians 7:17-18, he essentially wrote this: “This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Were you a Jew when you turned to Jesus? Then stay a Jew. Were you a Gentile? Then stay a Gentile.”

Paul didn’t want Gentile believers converting to Judaism. To do so would give the impression that Christ’s death was not sufficient to save Gentiles. This is the message of his epistle to the Galatians. Don't convert to Judaism! In that time, this read: You don’t have to be circumcised!

However, Paul never urged Jews to abandon their Judaism when they turned to Jesus. Unfortunately, that has happened numerous times over the centuries. Jews turn to Jesus and are pressured to stop doing the things God commanded in the Law. That’s not what Paul intended.

Paul’s summary and conclusion in verse 19 is startling. He wrote, “It doesn't matter if you're Jewish or Gentile; what matters is keeping God's commands” (my paraphrase). This passage is a clear rebuttal to those who think that Gentiles have no business keeping the commands God gave the Jewish people at Mt. Sinai. Along with his statements in Romans that we looked at last time, there’s no doubt Paul wanted Gentiles—and Jews—to live a God-obedient life.

If you have questions about this concept or want to investigate it further, you can get my recent book, Following Christ – Rediscovering the Jewish Faith of Jesus.

Paul considered Jewish believers and Gentile believers to be separate groups. Still, in Ephesians, Paul tells his Gentile readers to stop living like Gentiles: “So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking” (Ephesians 4:17). That does not leave very many options. Even though Gentile believers are not Jews, they are very Jewish-adjacent. Paul urged that “what matters is keeping God's commands” (1 Corinthians 7:19b). Let's not forget this, and resolve to follow God’s instructions. This is the rule that Paul laid down in all the churches.

Reflection

What can you do today that would strengthen your resolve to follow God’s instructions?

Consider the ways you “keep God’s commands.” What are some of the changes you have made in your life as a result of being a Christian?