June 17, 2009 - Galatians 5

As one who studied the book of Galatians in Bible Bowl many years ago, I could have told you that Paul says that in Christ circumcision or uncircumcision doesn't matter (5:6). What I could not have told you, until it hit me this morning, is that Paul goes on to tell us what does matter. "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." This is quite a profound summary for me to have missed. Isn't it true that we have get caught up in the things that don't matter, even to the point of arguing, and neglect the things that matter? Paul says here that faith is what counts, and it shows itself through love. James wrote that faith with works is dead. I think Paul would say that faith isn't really faith until it shows itself in acts of love. So the question for us becomes, is our faith showing itself?