Don't Dilute the Gospel!!
As Paul writes this letter to the believers in Galatia, he is passionate about preserving the purity of the gospel. The Jewish believers are requiring the new Gentile converts to be circumcised and Paul will have none it. Having started with the Gospel he is badly disappointed they are returning to the Law. They are returning to a justification by works. It is not that circumcision was bad in itself, but it doesn't save someone only Jesus does. Circumcision was a commandment given to the. Jewish males as part of the Old Testament covenant with Israel.
But the old covenant was replaced by the new covenant offered by God through Jesus. Paul says our hearts have been circumcised when we come to faith in Christ. Paul knew the Law well and knew if never brought peace because he could never live up to its demands. But when Paul experienced grace, he realized peace with Christ by what Jesus did on the cross. After having tasted grace, he never wanted to go back to the Law. And he didn't want those who had come to faith in Jesus to return to the slavery of the Law. Apparently some teachers had slipped in and preached another gospel which caused confusion. The Gospel is pure and simple but does not confusion. Jesus died for sinners and that is the only way we can be made right with God by faith in Him.
So the question is how are we tempted to go back to the Law after having tasted grace? Where do we substitute Law for amazing grace? The Law can slip in subtly as we start preaching there is something we can do for God to love us more. Paul says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. But love is always in response to the gift of faith not visa versa. We can love because he first loved us!
Galatians 5:2-15
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
But the old covenant was replaced by the new covenant offered by God through Jesus. Paul says our hearts have been circumcised when we come to faith in Christ. Paul knew the Law well and knew if never brought peace because he could never live up to its demands. But when Paul experienced grace, he realized peace with Christ by what Jesus did on the cross. After having tasted grace, he never wanted to go back to the Law. And he didn't want those who had come to faith in Jesus to return to the slavery of the Law. Apparently some teachers had slipped in and preached another gospel which caused confusion. The Gospel is pure and simple but does not confusion. Jesus died for sinners and that is the only way we can be made right with God by faith in Him.
So the question is how are we tempted to go back to the Law after having tasted grace? Where do we substitute Law for amazing grace? The Law can slip in subtly as we start preaching there is something we can do for God to love us more. Paul says the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. But love is always in response to the gift of faith not visa versa. We can love because he first loved us!
Galatians 5:2-15
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
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