I’m not much into tattoos.

The gym where I work out features loads of folks with tattoos. Both men and women proudly display their artwork as they tone their bodies. I’m in the minority, one of the older guys with bare arms and legs. Now, I’ll admit that an inked-up bicep curling a heavy dumbbell looks impressive, and I feel hip around this group. But I can’t see myself visiting a tattoo artist.

I thought of these nice folks at my gym when reading Paul’s admonition to the Corinthian church this morning. When discussing the issue of circumcision, which caused great controversy in the earliest churches where Jewish-background believers meshed with Gentile-background believers, Paul focused on the primary issue:

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.

The way I look on the outside matters little if I refuse to keep the Lord’s commands. We all know this, right? However, it’s easy to slide into greater concern for appearance than obedience. I think for religious people—people truly concerned about living a life of faith—this presents a constant challenge.

A tattoo doesn’t add a bit of muscle mass, or quickness, or agility. Those who work out regularly obey a set of commands that guide their pursuit of fitness and strength. They know that tattoos don’t keep them in shape, rather hard work and discipline builds their bodies. It’s easy in the gym to tell who’s really strong, and the tattoo doesn’t matter. It’s a decoration.

Paul cuts to the core. The hard work and discipline of keeping God’s commands builds our faith. Focus here, and let the peripheral issues sort themselves out.

So, no tattoo for me, but I appreciate the reminder from my friends at the gym that sticking to the program—the commands—is what counts.

I Corinthians 7 in week thirty-five of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Alora Griffiths