“The Only Thing That Counts”
Galatians 5:1-16, {1} 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 obligated 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 offense of the cross has been abolished. {12} As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves! {13} You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. {14} For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” {15} If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. {16} So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.