THE NEW HUMANITY IN CHRIST

"For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision,
but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in
Christ Jesus, the Messiah]." Galatians 5:6

courtesy of thehumanityproject.com

I love the Epistle to the Galatians. It Is a very inspiring book. One of the major points that Paul tries to point out in this letter is the believers freedom from the need to appear holy outwardly through rituals and religious practices. We have been set free from the basic principles of this world. We live by a higher law, a higher power.

The Jews took great pride in being circumcised. It was the sign of their approval with God. Circumcision meant they were in. They had a covenant with the living God and every other person was a heathen who would eventually be destroyed by their God. It meant that God would send his anointed one (Messiah) to them in order to rescue them from all their troubles and establish Israel as a world power. Even though the Old Testament prophecies speak of a New World of peace for all. They interpreted it to mean a new world where they would be the ruling class This was the climate that the early Christians lived in. And many early Jewish Christians still had this idea.

Sure enough, the Messiah comes and he dies for sins and rises again as King. But instead of focusing on Israel, the apostles seem to be talking about the gentiles too. That Jesus died for both Jews and non - Jews. This was
strange.Even some of the apostles resisted this revelation as God began to show it. Enter the judaizers; "apostles" who went about the churches preaching that Jesus saved the gentiles in order to make them Jews. They couldn't shake off the pride they took in their race. This pride was symbolised in their being circumcised. They insisted that whoever wanted to have a part in the Kingdom of God had to be circumcised. In other words they had to perform the ritual that makes Jews partakers of the old covenant. To this argument, Paul screams a resounding NO!! Circumcision or Uncircumcision doesn't matter, what matters is the New Creation.
The full scope of his mission on earth was to create a new humanity in Christ. One where race, gender, or occupation were meaningless. all that matters is Jesus, he symbolises the creation of a new humanity fully in union with the living God, 

The Early Christians had people who insisted on circumcision; we have people who insist on denomination, circumcision, observance of certain Jewish practices e.t.c. We all have our isms and schisms; reasons for which certain people are disqualified from the favour of God, To all these arguments, this word still stands
"For neither is circumcision [now] of any importance, nor uncircumcision,
but [only] a new creation [the result of a new birth and a new nature in
Christ Jesus, the Messiah]."

Jesus is the Logic of God telling us we are in!!!!

Grace be with you

The Danger of Exclusion

 "They zealously seek you in no good way. No, they desire to alienate you, that you may seek them." (Galatians 4:17 ISV)


There is something about humanity that eagerly seeks that which is running away from it. It is a sign of a deep brokenness on our part. We are increasingly attracted to things that are constantly unattainable or unreachable. We find the person who is disinterested in us more attractive than a person who is by our side and loves us for who we are.

I see this a lot in romantic relationships. Exclusion is used as a tool for manipulation. One party makes him/herself constantly unavailable emotionally or physically. He/she knows that it increases the other party's cravings. This drives the other party to want to pursue him/her even more.

Sadly, preachers and so called apostles have been using this same technique for millenia. In the passage above, Paul tells the Galatians that the Judaizers who had come to them were using the same tactic. They were painting the picture of a distant God; one who still had a few requirements for them to enjoy him. Of course, they were very conversant with these requirements and will be sharing it from time to time.


Tragically, once people are drawn to such messages, the cycle will never stop. The exclusion message will continue. You will always have one thing missing in your life. There will always be something you're not doing or are ignorant of that will disqualify you from God. And you're not doing the ones that you are doing well enough or long enough or something. What a shame.

To the person that has been told this kind of message. Know that Jesus loves you and has paid the full price for your salvation.  There is nothing more for you to do in order to get closer to God, just believe. He doesn't play games with you. He is always there by your side and available to you. Anyone who preaches that you lack certain steps or that you're disqualified is only seeking for you to follow them.

To the ministers who preach the Grace of God. This is a call to relax.  If you're wondering why some people leave your congregation or why your  ministry is not as large as you think it should be. Be aware that people in their brokenness are drawn to exclusion. If the Galatians who were converted through Paul and heard the Gospel of Grace directly from his mouth and deeds, if they could be drawn away by those who claimed that they needed to be circumcised.  It shouldn't surprise you that some fall away. Just keep preaching the Gospel. Some people can't handle freedom