Slices
Prepare
Think about what ‘freedom in Christ’ means for you.
Bible passage
Freedom in Christ
5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2 Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is required to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7 You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8 That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 ‘A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.’ 10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11 Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offence of the cross has been abolished. 12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
Explore
Jewish believers were unsettling the new Gentile believers by telling them they had to be circumcised – the special, intimate sign that Jewish men were God’s chosen people. But to trust in this sign of the old covenant with God was to reject the new freedom brought by Christ – in fact, Paul says, it brought a falling away from grace (v 4). To follow this disturbing teaching would mean disaster for the young churches of Galatia. No wonder Paul was so forceful in his argument!
Although so serious, Paul is careful to bring the young disciples encouragement. They had been doing so well (v 7). But he is angry with whoever has caused them to believe lies rather than the truth of Jesus who has called them (v 8). Dangerous teachings spread (v 9) and the perpetrators are to blame (v 10). Angrily (perhaps with painful wit), Paul says he wishes those who advocate this teaching might let the knives for circumcision slip (v 12)!
In our churches today, we are confronted by different issues which challenge our health and growth as believers. A righteous anger may be our reaction, but notice Paul’s concern in handling this issue: ‘the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love’ (v 6).
Respond
Pray: ‘Lord, save us from damaging the faith of others through our words and influence. Give us wisdom as we confront complex issues.’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Leviticus 19,20; Psalm 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for Guardians of Ancora clubs in the weeks before Easter. Pray for the children discovering the stories of Jesus’ death and resurrection, perhaps for the first time. Pray too for club leaders as they seek to provide opportunities to explore the meaning of these events – and what it means for each person in the club.