Indeed I, Paul, say
to you that if you
become circumcised,
Christ
will profit you
nothing.
And I testify at the
end to every man
who become
circumcised that he is a debtor
to keep the whole
law.
You have become
estranged from Christ,
you who attempt to be
justified by law;
you have fallen from
grace.
Galatians 5:2 -- 4
Paul in the
foregoing versus applied his discourse in such an earnest exhortation in order
to enforce by various arguments that Christians are to stand fast in the
liberty of the Gospel. Now Paul is
going to take heed in regard to any abuse of that liberty by a person in
indulging in simple temper, contrary to the great law of love. Luther says: "This place as it were a touchstone, whereby we may certainly and
freely judge of all doctrines, works, religion, and ceremonies of all men. Whosoever teaches that there is anything
necessary to salvation, besides faith in Christ, or so devise any work or
religion, or observe any rule, tradition, or ceremony whatsoever, with this
opinion, that by such things they shall obtain forgiveness of sins,
righteousness and everlasting life, they here in this place the sentence of the
Holy Ghost pronounced against them by the apostle, that Christ profit them
nothing." (Italics mine). The Galatian churches were called by God to
partake of the Gospel come the Gospel of liberty from condemnation, and the
ceremonial law, as well as from their former idolatrous life.
Paul then takes this time to exhort them to stand fast in that liberty. All men and women, even now, need to listen
to what Paul had to say. For all are to
examine those efforts that were used to deprive them of this liberty given by
Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit, and then not do again fall prey to such
things as legalism that the Judaizers teaches or trying to bring into the
church bringing the church into bondage. Brothers and sisters, let us aspire
after this liberty that is bestowed upon us through Jesus Christ, and then
stand fast with them that liberty. We
are not to suppose that the apostle here speaks merely of circumcision, nor we
do think that was his design to say that none of those who are circumcised
could have any benefit by Christ.
No! Paul was using this example,
this illustration, that was common among the Jewish people and well known by
others, as a way to speak about legalism and the loss of freedom. Salvation doesn't come with any works of
any kind, and this would even include circumcision. So we can put this to rest.
Those who adhere to legalism renounced the way of justification that God
had established through His son Jesus Christ.
We under legalism is a delay yourself under an impossibility of being
justified in the sight of God, and the reason for this is because then you are
required by section obedience to this legalism, and all men who are under this,
will admit that they are not capable of performing all legalism. Legalism is a curse, and that Kerr stands
against those who failed in keeping the wall, or some sort of works, legalism
is condemned because he cannot justify a person. If you are seeking to be justified by some sort of legalism or
law then Christ is no longer an affect for you. Jesus Christ will not be the savior of any who will not deny
himself pick up his cross and follow him and fully rely upon Him. This is a warning for all Christians, for
Paul is steadfastly exhorting and persuading that Christians are to be
steadfast in the doctrine and the liberty of the Gospel. Paul sets forth: "For we threw that
spirit eagerly wait for the whole of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love" (Galatians
5: 5 -- 6). All true Christians are
being taught by the Holy Spirit, and all true Christians, those Authentic Christian,
are waiting for eternal life, and the reward of righteousness, and the object
of their hope, as the gift of God by faith in Christ, and not for the sake of
their own works. Think about his
brothers and sisters from one day we will stand before the judgment seat and I
hope you here and I hear: " well done you faithful and discreet
servant." Is by faith that we were
brought into a justified state, and to continue this is our work until the end. We act under the direction and influence of
the Holy Spirit, it is under guidance of the Holy Spirit and by the assistance
of the Holy Spirit, that you and I are persuaded to believe on Jesus Christ and
to look for hope of righteousness. This
living and justifying faith is to be distinguished from a dead faith, by being
a working, active witness in principle for God. It is true faith alone received the savior, and interested the
believer as one with Christ. Our faith,
our conversion to Jesus Christ is manifested by the energy from our heart, that
is, by our love to Jesus Christ and his people. This never fail to produce like affects on your conduct and on
other. No outward privilege, nor
profession, will avail you to be accepted by God without sincere faith in our
Lord Jesus Christ. Face, where it is
true, is a working grace, is a work by love, love to God, and love to our
brother in; and faith, thus working by love, is all in all in our
Christianity. They may be found among
the number of those who through faith in the Holy Spirit and by means of the
Holy Spirit waits in the hope of righteousness by your free. Do not get caught up in material things or
in this life and in all the forms and observances that are available to be used,
rather remember this: without faith working by love all else is worthless, and
compared with it other things are of small value.
But the mercy of
the LORD
is from everlasting to everlasting
on those who fear
him That. And His
righteousness to children's
children.
To such as keep His
covenant, and to those
who remember His commandments to do
them.
Psalm 103: 17 -- 18
God loves His
children: you
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