Galatians 6:11-13

Galatians 6:11-13The Message (MSG)

Now, in these last sentences, I want to emphasize in the bold scrawls of my personal handwriting the immense importance of what I have written to you. These people who are attempting to force the ways of circumcision on you have only one motive: They want an easy way to look good before others, lacking the courage to live by a faith that shares Christ’s suffering and death. All their talk about the law is gas. They themselves don’t keep the law! And they are highly selective in the laws they do observe. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast of their success in recruiting you to their side. That is contemptible

And Paul makes it back full circle.

"All their talk about the law is gas!" Do you ever feel that way? That sometimes rules are just piled on just to make someone sound important?

What makes us important?

Being one in Christ.

And trusting in that.

That's it. 

Now, I think that we've come full circle it is important to remember that - at least for our benefit - we shouldn't always confuse "law" with "works." It may seem as if Paul often conflated the two in his writing, but Paul - and Luther later - knew that faith bears good fruit. Faith, trust...throws us into gear. And yes, good works come out of that. 

But make a law about it, and really, you miss the point. 

It's easy to tell someone to get circumcised. Or not to drink. Or not to dance. Or swear. Or wear certain clothing.

Those things are easy to make laws about. And even easier to be selective about.

But faith...faith pushes us toward love. Pushes us toward our neighbor. There's nothing selective about love. 

Love just is.

And love just does. 

Faith just is.

Faith just does.

Faithful God, let me fall trusting into your arms and then reach out in love to my neighbor. Amen.