Just Say “No” to Religion
The Apostle Paul took the stylus from the hand of his amanuensis and wrote some closing remarks to his epistle. The Galatians, with the help of Paul’s LARGE LETTERS, had the apostle’s conclusion in his own signature style (Gal 6:11).
Paul concluded his argument with a brief summary of statements regarding the Judaizers’ agenda and motive. We remember that the party of the circumcision, which arrived from Jerusalem, were “Christians” demanding new converts to Christianity become Jews. Circumcision and the keeping of the Law were central to their argument. There was no grace in their message, which is why Paul referred to them as “false brethren.”
Judaism had departed the sound doctrine of grace and faith in the Spirit, in favor of a works-based religious system that required full compliance with the Mosaic Law. As long as the Judaizers pressed circumcision and compliance to the Law of Moses, the parties of Judaism would leave them alone. Particularly troublesome at the time of Paul’s writing this letter was the sect of the Zealots, who often persecuted non-compliant Jews.
The cross of Jesus Christ was a stumbling block to Jews and Judaizers alike. It presented the very rock of offense to their performance religion. Making a good showing in the flesh was to please men and gain their accolades. The death of Christ Jesus was the ultimate performance, however. On one occasion, our Lord made one sacrificial offering of Himself, for all of His people, for all time. No other religious performance was needed by others because Jesus’ atonement was perfect and final.
For this reason, the Christian faith, including the faith of every believer, trusts in Christ alone for salvation (Jn 14:6). The Holy Spirit graciously works to produce a new creation (Gal 6:15). Each one born again is a new creature in Christ, exclusively by God’s grace (2 Cor 5:17). This means God does all of the work of salvation in order to receive all of the glory for each one’s salvation.
The one who exclusively boasts in Jesus Christ, His Person and work, is the Spirit-indwelt believer who puts zero confidence in his own performance to do good works in compliance to the Mosaic Law. He knows that apart from Christ he can do nothing to win favor with God (Jn 15:5). The true believer as an adopted child of God (Rom 8:15, 23; Eph 1:4–5), has no interest in stealing glory from Christ, or from the Father, or from the Holy Spirit.
As the religionist puts on a show to please men, the Christian serves as a witness to the glories of Christ and Calvary. Jesus paid it all; and the Spirit applied all the benefits. There is simply no other boast (1 Cor 1:31; Gal 6:14). No one and nothing else warrant our attention or affections. This, of course, is also an offense to those trying to garner our praise for bolstering their pride.
Using persuasion, the Judaizers tried to convince the Greek members of the Galatian churches to be circumcised. They would then employ the dead flesh of others as a trophy to their skill at religious persuasion and performance. Enslaving others to religion is a twisted activity of sinners. Getting others to do what one wants gives that person or group power over them. Religious pride is real; and love is never the motive.
The Christian has been crucified with Christ (Gal 2:19–20); therefore, his relationship to the world is radically altered (Gal 6:14). He is alive to God (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13); but the world is an old albatross. Killing the flesh means the world and all that is in it fades from the forefront of Christian affections. The world system is the devil’s scheme to entice people to sin against God. So, the new creation has new affections because of the influence of the Spirit under the reign of grace.
Whether one is circumcised or uncircumcised is not even relevant to the new order (Gal 6:15). Christ has made peace with God on our behalf (Rom 5:1). Having peace with God through our union with Christ means God has had mercy on us (Rom 9:15–16). This has come to us, not by works of the Law, but because God sent His Spirit to each of His elect redeemed people.
The Israel of God is Jesus Christ, the faithful and true Israel (Is 49:1–6; Gal 6:16). The body of Christ has Christ as its Leader and Head (Mt 23:10; Col 1:18). Those who belong to Christ are sons of Abraham (Gal 3:7–9, 14). Abraham believed the promises God made to him over 600 years before God gave Moses the Law at Sinai (Ex 20). As a believer, Abraham was justified by God’s grace, far apart from the Law.
The Law of God simply illumined the problem between God and man (Rom 5:20; Gal 3:19). Sins were explicitly identified. The condemnation of sinners from conception, having inherited the sin of Adam was clear (Ps 51:5; Rom 5:12). The extent of practicing sinners was far beyond comprehension. No one kept the Law (Gal 6:13).
Praise God for Paul’s Galatian epistle. In the contrast between the Law/works formula for salvation (favor with God) and the Spirit/faith combination, there is a decisive winner. Grace abounds from the Father in election, and abounds from the Son in redemption. Only through the faith-generating Holy Spirit does one see and enter the kingdom of God (Jn 3:1–8).
It is simply foolish to revert back to a failed religious system (Judaism) that was never God’s plan of salvation. The Hebrew Scriptures, explained by the New Testament, point us to Jesus Messiah. All that He is and all that He did reconciles us to God. He is the fulfillment of every promise of God for our benefit. He also fulfilled the Law in perfect active and passive obedience (Mt 5:17). It behooves us to look to Him and live.
May God keep us free from the false teaching of legalism by the religionists. Looking to Christ and all His achievements, let us simply boast in Him for the great things He alone has done for our benefit.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
September 29, 2023
