But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed....It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Galatians 5:11, 6:12
My preparation to lead worship at the Gardens and The Lodge today is complete. Yet because my preparation convicted me that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history I am going to continue reading DesiringGod.com's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #13: To Abolish Circumcision and All Rituals as the Basis of Salvation. I grew up Jewish and never felt a personal connection to God. For me, being Jewish meant following rituals that had no meaning. While it is true I never took the time to know God, what I did see of God did not draw me to Him. Yet I am grateful that God did not give up on me so here I am today as a believer - thank You Father God that You saved me! The devotion entry for today strikes a chord for me because of Jewish upbringing. It starts by sharing how "circumcision was a huge controversy in the early church. It had a long, respected, biblical place ever since God commanded it in Genesis 17:10. Christ was a Jew. All his twelve apostles were Jews. Almost all the first converts to Christianity were Jews. The Jewish Scriptures were (and are) part of the Bible of the Christian church. It is not surprising that Jewish rituals would come over into the Christian church." The question over whether circumcision was required to believe came to a head as Paul preached the Gospel to the Gentiles as described in Acts 10:43 and 13:38-39. The Jerusalem Council settled the matter as described in Acts 15:1 and 5-12. "The answer was clear. If Paul preached circumcision, “the offense of the cross has been removed” (Galatians 5:11). The cross means freedom from the enslavement of ritual. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1)." Ultimately, circumcision was not only not required to be saved, but none of the other ritual practices described as the ceremonial law (vs the moral law which remains intact) from the Old Testament were required to be saved. Faith alone saves (Romans 10:10).
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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for removing the yoke of works so that I can be saved by faith alone! I am not deserving of how You softened my heart and saved me. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
