BiblicalInsights.net

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6).  The apostle Paul wrote this passage to churches in Galatia (Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe-south Galatia). The churches in this region were being challenged by Judaizing teachers who claimed that Christians, including Gentile Christians, must keep the law of Moses and be circumcised.  These teachers had succeeded in infiltrating these churches and perverting them with their doctrine (Gal. 1:6 and 3:1).  Paul writes the book of Galatians to refute their doctrines and vindicate the Gospel.  He emphasizes that “circumcision or uncircumcision” avails nothing in Christ.  Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel.  It helped define the people of God from those who were not considered to be among the people of God.  The distinction between Jew and Gentile was established by this sign.  Paul affirms that the “circumcised” were to keep the whole law (Gal. 5:3).  But, the Jews could not keep the law perfectly (Rom. 2:25, 3:9).  Consequently, circumcision could not justify them.  In Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcison availeth anything.  This distinction was no longer valid.  A significant change occurred when Jesus died on the cross.  At that time, the new testament (covenant) went into force (Col. 2:14, II Cor. 3:7-17; Heb. 9:15-17).  The law of Moses was fulfilled and taken out of the way.  Jeremiah the prophet, some 600 years before Christ, had predicted this change in covenants (Jer. 31:31-34, Heb. 8:6-13).  Christians are not under the law of Moses, but they are under (accountable to, bound by the terms and conditions of the covenant) the law of Christ.  To be “in Christ” is to be in the spiritual sphere where redemption and salvation are found (Gal. 5:1).  How does one get “into Christ?”  Paul gives the answer:  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27).  The consequence of this spiritual transformation is that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
Paul affirms that the grace of God is appropriated through faith and love.  Faith and love are born in the hearts of men when they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Knowledge of the truth begets faith.  “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” Rom. 10:17.  Knowledge of God’s love for us begets love in our hearts for Him.  “We love him, because he first loved us.”  Our love for God which involves adoration, devotion, submission and respect or reverence, is a reciprocal love.  It is a love that responds to God’s unspeakable gift of His Son–Jesus Christ–who died for us upon the cross.
Faith is operational by love.  Faith is absolute trust in God.  Faith is active (Heb. 11:8, Abraham’s faith was an obedient faith).  Love is active.  Jesus said, “if ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  The test of faith is obedience to God’s commands.  The test of love is obedience to God’s commands.  Faith performs its work in the sphere of love.  Love envelops and permeates faith.  Faith without love is imperfect (I Cor. 13:1-3) and love without faith is imperfect (Heb. 11:6).  You cannot be saved by faith alone.  You cannot be saved by love alone.  As Paul affirms, we are saved by faith which worketh by love!
Love is the greatest virtue! (I Cor. 13:13).  It outranks faith.  No person can be saved without love for God.  Love for God is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-40).
Faith and love are both virtues of the human heart that are necessary for salvation.  We must believe in Jesus Christ and love Him above all else.  When we believe and love the Lord Jesus Christ, we will obey Him (Luke 6:46).  Faith and love define the children of God today.