S
"Liberty of the Spirit"
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed, I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit of glory wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
5:6-12 To believe in Christ involves faith working through love (v. 6). Those who stop short of love, hindered by legalism (v. 7), miss the message of the Cross (v. 11). For by His death Christ abolished the law, and by His Resurrection He granted us sonship with God. For those who trouble you (v. 12) with circumcision, Paul wishes they would cut themselves of -- referring to complete castration. Why does he speak so strongly? Christ broke the bonds of the law, not that our standard might be lowered, but that it might be exalted. We who are free from the law must not return to its bondage."
God save us in Christ Jesus our Sovereign Saviour and LORD GOD. Amen. In Erie PA USA June 2011 AD Scott R. Harrington PS Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages; Amen and Amen.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed, I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by the law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit of glory wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love."
5:6-12 To believe in Christ involves faith working through love (v. 6). Those who stop short of love, hindered by legalism (v. 7), miss the message of the Cross (v. 11). For by His death Christ abolished the law, and by His Resurrection He granted us sonship with God. For those who trouble you (v. 12) with circumcision, Paul wishes they would cut themselves of -- referring to complete castration. Why does he speak so strongly? Christ broke the bonds of the law, not that our standard might be lowered, but that it might be exalted. We who are free from the law must not return to its bondage."
God save us in Christ Jesus our Sovereign Saviour and LORD GOD. Amen. In Erie PA USA June 2011 AD Scott R. Harrington PS Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages; Amen and Amen.