Galatians 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Every verse in this passage speaks to me! However, this last verse sums it up pretty well. The human impulse is to rely on externals, on things we can do and say that we’ve done. However, God is supreme and has already done everything necessary for our salvation, our righteousness. All that we have to do is believe that He has done so out of His great love for us, and then let that love be reflected back from our hearts to Him. Such faith, that cannot help but love God and love our neighbor, indeed supplants any system of rules and regulations. That’s not at all to say that we aren’t to be obedient to how the Bible tells us to live; Jesus was very clear on that. (John 14:15, 24) It is to say that the more we grasp God’s love, the better we will express His character in every area of our lives, walking in obedience not to the word but to the spirit of the law. St. Augustine expressed it as “Love God and do as you please.” Those who are spiritually immature respond to that either with panic that there are no rules, or delight that there are no rules. Neither response understands what it is really to love God. To the degree that we fail to love Him, we fail to believe and trust Him, because a true appreciation of His character and love is absolutely overwhelming.

As a pastor, this is a vital issue not only for my own life but for how I relate to every person in my sphere. Sometimes I have to “lay down the law” about certain issues when there isn’t sufficient knowledge or maturity to guide behavior properly, but that is at best a stop-gap approach, just as the Law of Moses was in God’s interactions with the Israelites. My goal must always be to help people understand and believe how much God loves them, so that they may respond to that love with obedience and love in return. As John says in 1 John 5:4, faith in such a God overcomes everything the world can throw at us. I cannot force faith on anyone, but I can supply them with the information necessary, praying that their hearts may open to receive what God offers them.

Father, looking back over my life at this point, the words of Dennis Jernigan’s You are My All in All ring absolutely true. You have met every need. You have given me infinitely better than I deserved. You have indeed demonstrated Your character toward me, and I am humbly grateful. I ask You to use me to open the eyes of more and more people so that they too may see how wonderful You are, in who You are and in Your actions toward them, so that they may respond with the faith, praise, and obedience that You alone deserve, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!