If we insist on adhering to one aspect, any aspect, of the law in order that we might gain favor with God then we are obligating ourselves to obey the whole law. We cannot have it both ways. Either we must commit ourselves fully to the law, becoming a slave to the rules once more in order to try to earn our righteousness (which is impossible!) or we must realize that the laws were given to help us see our deep need for a Savior and that it is only by grace that we are saved, through faith. Our faith is counted to us as righteousness, not our deeds. Likewise, His grace is what allows us back into His presence, not our deeds. Christ gave everything to be able to cover us with His righteousness. We should not cut ourselves off from our Savior by turning our back on the work He already did so that we can cling to our stubborn ‘DIY’ attitudes on a project that is completely beyond our ability to complete.
“I am emphatic about this. The moment any one of you submits to circumcision or any other rule-keeping system, at that same moment Christ’s hard-won gift of freedom is squandered. I repeat my warning: The person who accepts the ways of circumcision trades all the advantages of the free life in Christ for the obligations of the slave life of the law.”
Galatians 5:2-3 MSG
“…The only thing that really counts is faith that shows itself through love.”
Galatians 5:6 NIRV
In the Living Word 