Today's readings:
Exodus 4-6; Galatians 6
Galatians 6:13
For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Even in the conclusion of the letter, Paul would not let it up! So dire was the matter that he had to bring it up again and even as another motive is brought to light, regarding the Jewish converts wanting to impose the old law on Gentiles.
It was an ironic mirror of the “Phariseetic” mindset so condemned by Jesus (c.f. Mat 23). The idea of using human mindset to “enhance” or even replace the commands of God. Why circumcision? Because it was easy to convince, easy to administer, and supposedly easy to “score points”! Yet as we read in subsequent verses,
Paul tells them, “Fat chance”! The mark of the true Christian goes way beyond a ceremonial incision! It was a life of servitude in Christ, even as we’ve been created for the purpose (v. 1-10; c.f. Eph 2:10).
So today, as Gentiles, it remains vitally important to keep things in the perspective of Christ and not to allow our human narrow-mindedness to dictate what is good and necessary, not especially as a means to gain favor with God.
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