Saturday, March 09, 2013

Rules


Galatians 6:15-16 KJV
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Ever played a game when you weren’t as familiar with the rules as your opponent?

The days in which these words were written were, I suppose, not too much different than our own. The rules seemed to change according to whomever ruled in Rome and according to whatever nation a person was from.

Paul had preached faith in Jesus Christ as sufficient for salvation. Others had followed behind and insisted Christ was only a beginning place and believers had to then follow the Old Testament law. To the Judaizers this was the best of two worlds. They could include many more into their religious system by claiming the newly professing Christians as a part of their faith and they could exert strict control of them through their Judaistic rules.

The Roman world, however, had different ideas.
  • Jewish nationalism had always been a thorn in Rome's flesh
  • The Jews were constantly stirring up trouble and in only a few years Rome would sack the city of Jerusalem because of it
  • The emperor believed he was to be worshipped as a god and the Jewish notion of just one God rubbed him wrong
He wasn't thrilled about Roman citizens embracing Judaism.

Into this conflict enters the book of Galatians with the answer that neither the rules of uncircumcision or circumcision were the answer. God called for a brand new creature. And it was this creature who would experience the blessing of God's peace and mercy.

This is the rule Christians are to abide by, not systems of man made policies and religious duties and expectations. Our rule is simple and yet absolutely life changing; we are to be new creatures.

It is remarkably simple and yet absolutely profound
  • Just one rule to live by, but completely life changing
  • Not lots to remember but you’ll never be the same
  • Only one thing to accomplish, but it can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit

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