DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT
1 CORINTHIANS 7:17-24 NKJV
17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
There are more verses here than in my typical devotional, but I wanted us to see a thought. Paul is encouraging the church to not get caught up in their fleshly identity.
It is easy to get caught up with who we are on the outside and miss what God has for us. In other words, after coming to Christ too often, people feel the need to add something else.
To those who came from Jewish backgrounds, Paul told them to stay where they were. So if they were circumcised, don't become uncircumcised. I am sure Paul meant this figuratively. I don't think that process can be reversed. If you are Jewish, stay Jewish; don't become a Gentile.
Conversely, if you are a Gentile, don't get circumcised and try to become Jewish. You would not have to tell me that twice.
Paul states that it's not circumcision or uncircumcision that matters. It's obeying God and keeping His commandments. So it's about the heart, not what we are in the flesh, that matters to God.
Paul encouraged slaves not to worry about being a slave. He was not advocating slavery but rather helping shift the focus to spiritual things. In Christ, all the slaves were free men. Just as in Christ all free men were slaves of the Lord. Paul did throw in a caveat. If you could be set free, take advantage of it. And Paul admonishes not to ever become slaves to anyone voluntarily. We were bought at a price, so being a slave to man is not God's plan.
APPLICATION:
Over the years, I have watched believers try to add something on the outside in order to make a difference on the inside. People with no Jewish background or heritage becoming Jewish believers. And that's okay if the Lord leads you to do that. But typically, the Messianic movement is for people with Jewish heritage becoming believers in Jesus. This allows them to still function in Jewish culture but with the newness of life that's in Christ.
What is on the outside is not important to God. What He is after is our heart for Him. And our spiritual nature is much more important to Him than anything we are in the flesh.
Our position in Christ is an elevated position. Changing our fleshly identity is not what matters. So don't change and don't worry about it.