What Counts

Galatians 6:11-15 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation.
 
PAUL usually dictated his letters to scribes, and it is likely a scribe wrote all of Galatians to this point. As he closes his plea to the Galatian churches, Paul took the pen in hand. The large letters could refer to Paul having diminished vision, or they could be an emphasis for the Galatians to pay close attention to his summation: what counts is a new creation.
   No law will make us new. The circumcised are not free of sin. Why should the church believe salvation requires one particular physical action for men? And what did they require of women? The Judaizers were not authentic Christians, willing to stand for Christ. They compromised the cross with circumcision because it would have more appeal to the general population. Even more, they would not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. As the Pharisees, the Judaizers wanted a religion with rules that would control people’s spiritual lives.
   One form of spiritual bondage is the need to do some physical act to make one right with God. This began with Eve eating the forbidden fruit. Temptation told her this one action would make her as God. Throughout history mankind has developed many rituals and rules to become right with gods of their own making. This is why all religions but Christianity are works oriented. “Do this. Do that. And you will become more pure, holy to satisfy the gods.” In Israel’s history of worshiping Baal and Molech, one rule required child sacrifice. Sin’s rituals are deadly to body and soul.
   Since the church began, many churches have become works oriented. “Be baptized and be saved.” (Yes, faithful Christians must be baptized as an outward sign of faith, but it alone will not save.) “Do this penance five times each week and be forgiven.” “Attend church every day and be right with God.” Churches split because some people, as the Judaizers, want to add more rituals, rules and restrictions to the cross. The cross is not enough for these rule makers.
   Our “boasting”, then must be about Jesus’ redemptive work not our own “work”. In other words we must praise and glorify God for his compassionate gift of life. Freely proclaim the cross. Know God’s commands. Do not let rule makers turn you from God’s grace. This is his gift to you. Receive it and rejoice. After all, what counts is (in Christ you are) a new creation.