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Scripture Reading:    Mark 7:27-28;

                                  Philippians 3:2

When approached by a Gentile woman in need of help, our Lord said to her, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and cast it unto the dogs" (Mark 7:27.) Dogs! Is this our sensitive, loving and caring Lord who is speaking? Yes indeed! But rather than taking offense at this statement, this woman readily acknowledged her place as a Gentile "dog," saying "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs" (Mark 7:28). Recognizing her faith, the Lord granted her request.

Are the Gentiles still considered "dogs" by the Lord in this present age? No, now the tables have turned. In Philippians 3:2, Paul writes, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." Today, God refers to the "concision" as dogs. But who are the concision? Actually, Paul is using a play on words here, based on the word "circumcision." As the apostle of the Gentiles proclaimed the gospel of the grace of God, the Judaizers often followed at a distance ready to impose circumcision on new believers (see Acts 15:1). Since circumcision is not a part of God's program today, this practice, when used for a religious ceremony, becomes nothing but a mutilation of the flesh. And this is precisely the meaning of the word "concision." Paul tells the Philippians to watch out for the Judaizing "dogs" who would mutilate their flesh in the name of their religion.

We can thank God that we Gentiles, who were once considered "dogs" are now sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ!