I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
If you have ever given a presentation with little preparation, or played a game with crazy rules you could never memorize, you have some idea of what it is like for “every man who accepts circumcision.” Circumcision can be said to mean “be good and go to heaven.” It actually means a lot more than that. Paul told the Galatians that they had better be really prepared to get it completely right and know all of the rules. The end of the game is…you lose. Only by abiding in Christ can they bear fruit, just like in John 15, he is the vine, we are the branches. A branch lying on the ground will not bear fruit. That is the man who accepts circumcision.
There are too many of us who, while going to church and looking the part, are accepting circumcision. They have circumcision answers to the question, “Why should I let you in heaven?” “I was baptized.” “I was confirmed.” “I pay my dues every year.” “My great-great grandparents built this church.” All these replies will show that they are severed from Christ. They are branches on the ground, bearing no fruit. They have no hope without their connection to Christ. They can say “I’m good.” But until they fall on their knees and say, “He is good”, they will not be justified. There will be no point in playing the game because, in the end…
You lose.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church