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 THE ONLY THING (GALATIANS 5:2-15)

Paul reminds the Galatians not to accept anything that requires them to be subject to the law before salvation in Jesus can be achieved for whether one is circumcised or not he or she is justified through faith in Christ. The only thing required is to ensure that they do not abuse the grace of God available to them but love one another. 

REFLECTION 

The theme for our reflection is the only thing. Paul re-echoes the fact that salvation is not through works or requirements of the Mosaic law it is solely through faith in Jesus Christ. “Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.  For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.” (Galatians 5:2-6)

Paul directs the Galatians’ attention to the only thing required of a person who has been justified through faith in Christ. Paul wrote that that  “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13-15). In other words, the only thing we can do to please God is to be imitators of the unconditional love of Christ. This love is shown in our speech and conduct towards one another. Our faith in Christ must yield one fruit only, this is the fruit of love and service to one another. This is what Jesus meant when He said to His disciples “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35). The only thing the world will experience as a sign of our faith in Christ is the love of Christ shown to everyone we come across, therefore be mindful of what you say and how you treat people as a believer. Shalom.

PRAYER 

ALMIGHTY GOD, EMPOWER US TO DEMONSTRATE OUR FAITH THROUGH LOVE. AMEN

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)