Okay, it seems a little odd to be talking about circumcision, but Paul is getting fixated on this point. What’s the big deal? After all, about two-thirds of baby boys born in the U.S. get circumcised. It’s a relatively simple medical procedure. Is Paul saying that circumcision is a bad thing?
For Paul circumcision was not just a medical procedure or a health choice. Circumcision was the sign of the Old Testament Covenant. It was a key requirement for men who came to faith and wanted to become Jewish. As Paul dealt with the Judaizing Christians, part of what they were teaching was that in order to be saved a man had to be circumcised. Paul is saying, “No! That’s not true! The only thing necessary for salvation is faith in Jesus as our crucified and risen Savior.” Therefore, to accept circumcision was tantamount to saying that we need more than the Gospel for our salvation, and Paul is graphic as he expresses himself on that point, “I wish the one’s unsettling you would castrate themselves!”
That doesn’t sound very loving; not even kind. It’s certainly not tolerant.
Paul was clear: there is only one thing that saves us – the cross of Christ. He was not about to tolerate anything that diluted that message, nor anything that focused those he loved away from the cross. He knew the cross was offensive. The word he used in verse 11 describing the cross was skandalon – the root for our word, “scandal.” No one wants to think that they were so bad off they could not save themselves – that’s scandalous! Even in our salvation, we sometimes creep back to the idea that we weren’t/aren’t that bad. That idea seems to grow in us. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” The cross is a sign of total dependence, helplessness, and need, and it stands contrary to the thought that there was anything we could do to save ourselves.
When we have Christ crucified in our hearts and our faith is Him, we are totally free. We are relieved of the eternal consequence of our sin. We are freed from guilt and death. We are liberated to live for Christ instead of obligated to keep the Law. In Jesus’ death, our sinful nature is put to death, and we live a new life – one that is not fixated on the question, “What do I need to do?” Instead, our minds are focused on Jesus’ love for us, and how we can show love to Him and our neighbor.
Under the Law we are to do all kinds of good deeds in order to have salvation. Under the Gospel we will do all kinds of good deeds because in the love of Jesus we are saved and His Spirit is inside of us. Certainly God is looking for us to bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But now this is done from freedom, because we want to, instead of being compelled to.
Perhaps that seems like splitting hairs. But going back to the idea of being “sons of God,” would you rather your children do what is right out of obligation, or because it’s who they are and out of love?
So would our Heavenly Father.
Father in Heaven, thank your for freeing me through Jesus’ cross. Guide and empower me by the Holy Spirit to live in that freedom and share Your love with others. In Jesus name; Amen.
For Paul circumcision was not just a medical procedure or a health choice. Circumcision was the sign of the Old Testament Covenant. It was a key requirement for men who came to faith and wanted to become Jewish. As Paul dealt with the Judaizing Christians, part of what they were teaching was that in order to be saved a man had to be circumcised. Paul is saying, “No! That’s not true! The only thing necessary for salvation is faith in Jesus as our crucified and risen Savior.” Therefore, to accept circumcision was tantamount to saying that we need more than the Gospel for our salvation, and Paul is graphic as he expresses himself on that point, “I wish the one’s unsettling you would castrate themselves!”
That doesn’t sound very loving; not even kind. It’s certainly not tolerant.
Paul was clear: there is only one thing that saves us – the cross of Christ. He was not about to tolerate anything that diluted that message, nor anything that focused those he loved away from the cross. He knew the cross was offensive. The word he used in verse 11 describing the cross was skandalon – the root for our word, “scandal.” No one wants to think that they were so bad off they could not save themselves – that’s scandalous! Even in our salvation, we sometimes creep back to the idea that we weren’t/aren’t that bad. That idea seems to grow in us. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” The cross is a sign of total dependence, helplessness, and need, and it stands contrary to the thought that there was anything we could do to save ourselves.
When we have Christ crucified in our hearts and our faith is Him, we are totally free. We are relieved of the eternal consequence of our sin. We are freed from guilt and death. We are liberated to live for Christ instead of obligated to keep the Law. In Jesus’ death, our sinful nature is put to death, and we live a new life – one that is not fixated on the question, “What do I need to do?” Instead, our minds are focused on Jesus’ love for us, and how we can show love to Him and our neighbor.
Under the Law we are to do all kinds of good deeds in order to have salvation. Under the Gospel we will do all kinds of good deeds because in the love of Jesus we are saved and His Spirit is inside of us. Certainly God is looking for us to bear fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But now this is done from freedom, because we want to, instead of being compelled to.
Perhaps that seems like splitting hairs. But going back to the idea of being “sons of God,” would you rather your children do what is right out of obligation, or because it’s who they are and out of love?
So would our Heavenly Father.
Father in Heaven, thank your for freeing me through Jesus’ cross. Guide and empower me by the Holy Spirit to live in that freedom and share Your love with others. In Jesus name; Amen.
Comments