11 October 2022

For through the Spirit, by faith, we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.
From Galatians 5:1-6 NRSV

Paul returns to a subject on which he had previously written but that he knew needed to be reinforced. Some of those to who he was writing seemed to be “hedging their bets”.On the one hand they to put their faith in Christ, whilst on the other they accepted circumcision as a requirement of the Jewish Law. Paul wants them to realise that salvation comes entirely through faith in Christ – a faith expressed through love and without the need for any other expression.

• • Why do you suppose that some of Paul’s audience were unable to place their faith entirely in Christ?
  • What can hold us back from accepting that our salvation in Christ is assured?

Pray today for those who struggle to believe and for those who face challenges to their faith.