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Freedom by the Spirit

    I was talking the other day about how things have changed since Christ came along. We no longer live according to the law, but by the life-giving Spirit of Jesus Christ who is working through us. It is easy to believe that when we first meet Jesus, but so tempting to fall into the law after we have converted. This has been a problem since Paul's day and even he told churches not to fall into the trap.

    In the passage below, Paul uses circumcision as a prime example. Before Jesus' day, circumcision was the sign of the Jewish faith. All who followed Yahweh were circumcised. But Paul scolds the Galatians saying that you cannot be saved through circumcision or other works of the law. What will change your life truly is living by the Spirit in faith and love. It is the same for us. If anyone tells you Christianity is about works, do not believe them. It is primarily about a relationship with your savior, who then changes your heart and consequently, your actions. Seek Jesus for your righteousness and avoid trying to be good all on your own-- it never works.

Galatians 5:1-7 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.

But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. (NLT)

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