Verses 1-2
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We will be able to do well in life and have a great relationship with God if we are obedient to God.
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God calls us to be holy in our actions and thoughts. Holiness is needed if we are going to please God and be close to Him (1 Peter 1:14-16, Hebrews 12:14).
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Verses 3-8, 15-16
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Verse 5. Just like Abram's name was changed to Abraham, we receive new names from God (Revelation 2:17). We do not know what these names are yet. We will know them in heaven. This means that God has given us an identity that is far greater than the identity that was given to us by people here on earth.
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The name that your parents gave you, the doubtful future that people may have foreseen for you, the way that people have dishonored you...none of this defines you.
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No matter what has happened here, you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20), and your name in heaven is precious (Luke 10:20). Think often of this. Think of how much you must mean to God that He made His own name for you—one that fits you perfectly and perfectly matches who you are truly created to be.
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Verses 9-14
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Circumcision was a marker that Abraham and his people belonged to God.
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Today, we also have a marker to prove that we belong to God. This marker is the Holy Spirit within us (Ephesians 1:13), and it is the removal of sin from our lives (Colossians 2:11-12).
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In other words, we know that we are saved because we are turning away from sin. If we are not stopping sin in our lives, we are in a dangerous spot.
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Verses 12-13. No matter how we came to Christ or what kind of life we've come from (whether we were born into a Christian family or we came from a non-believing background), we all have opportunity to be saved, and we are all responsible to turn away from sin.
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Verses 17-27
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Verses 17,23-27. Even though Abraham still had some doubt in his heart, showing it by laughing at God's promise, he still obeyed the command given to him to circumcise his household.
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Even though you have some doubts, don't let those doubts stop you from growing and obeying in the life-situation God has you in presently.
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Don't focus on greater tasks if you're not doing well with the smaller responsibilities that are before you right now. Focus on what you have in front of you, and do it well. You will grow into greater things in time, just like Abraham did. Keep obeying, and you will eventually grow out of your doubts. Then you will be able to handle more.
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