Wednesday, May 10, 2023

       Christ has freed us so that we may enjoy the benefits of freedom. Therefore, be firm in this freedom and don’t become slaves again. ² I, Paul, can guarantee that if you allow yourselves to be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ Again, I insist that everyone who allows himself to be circumcised must realize that he obligates himself to do everything Moses’ Teachings demand. ⁴ Those of you who try to earn God’s approval by obeying his laws have been cut off from Christ. You have fallen out of God’s favor. ⁵ However, in our spiritual nature, faith causes us to wait eagerly for the confidence that comes with God’s approval. ⁶ As far as our relationship to Christ Jesus is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether we are circumcised or not. But what matters is a faith that expresses itself through love.

       ⁷ You were doing so well. Who stopped you from being influenced by the truth? ⁸ The arguments of the person who is influencing you do not come from the one who is calling you. ⁹ A little yeast spreads through the whole batch of dough. ¹⁰ The Lord gives me confidence that you will not disagree with this. However, the one who is confusing you will suffer God’s judgment regardless of who he is. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the cross wouldn’t be offensive anymore. ¹² I wish those troublemakers would castrate themselves. ¹³ You were indeed called to be free, brothers and sisters. Don’t turn this freedom into an excuse for your corrupt nature to express itself. Rather, serve each other through love. ¹⁴ All of Moses’ Teachings are summarized in a single statement, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you criticize and attack each other, be careful that you don’t destroy each other.

Galatians 5:1 – 15

Love, the re-newed Law of God.  The Law is so attractive from the outside.  Keeping the rules!  Doing something!  These allow me to measure my spirituality.  So, when someone comes and says, “You must be circumcised” (or any other requirement), I naturally jump to it.  Stand and salute.  Then, I celebrate my own goodness.  But this isn’t God’s requirement; this is the enemy tempting me to do God’s work another way.  God’s requirement is: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  Faith-based love!  Do, I extend the love of Christ to my neighbor?  Do I do what love demands when no one is watching?  When the person before me cannot possibly precipitate?  When the only credit I get for it is “Well done”?  My love isn’t always faith-based love; it is often something less!  Oh God, love through me until I am strong enough to love for You!!