David Bahn – Reflections

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

² Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. ³ 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. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

⁷ You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? ⁸ This persuasion is not from him who calls you. ⁹ A little leaven leavens the whole lump. ¹⁰ I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. ¹¹ But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. ¹² I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

¹³ For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

My vicarage supervisor (and father of my good friend and traveling buddy, Steve) is a giant. Even though he is in an assisted living community he and his recently-departed wife set up Bible studies there, made evangelism visits and saw at least two people baptized – right there in the facility. Will Sohns and Lynn, his wife were a great blessing to Diane and me those many years ago. I highly respect him. Recently he has written a book, The Great Sending, and a second follow-up God’s Sending Heart. The Mission of God has always been front and center in his ministry.

I recall his constant focus on God’s love and grace, on the central focus of true Lutheran theology: justification by grace through faith. He would regularly make the point that truths of Scripture and theology must find their source in justification, and lead the person to the same. I can hear him say, “It’s important because it impacts the Gospel!” Indeed it – whatever it is – is important because it impacts the Gospel message.

This is what Paul is saying here. The issue wasn’t just about circumcision. It was about how that requirement nullified the Gospel and undercut the grace of God. He writes, “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.” 

Then he makes the point that the Gospel message leads us to embrace the true Law of God. He writes, “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In this context he is not speaking of the Old Testament ceremonial laws regarding circumcision, sabbath restrictions, or dietary limitations. He is speaking of the Law of God in the truest sense. Jesus made that clear: Love God and love your neighbor, he taught.

The fellowship we have in the Gospel of Jesus is a fellowship of love, grace, truth, and forgiveness. It is a precious fellowship that is celebrated at the foot of the cross and the empty tomb. It overflows in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the fruit of the Holy Spirit and a reflection of the character and nature of God.

Arrogance, hubris, judgmentalism, and harshness has no place in the fellowship of the redeemed. And as James reminds us, “The anger of man does not accomplish the righteous things that God desires” (James 1:20). Thankfully we’ve been set free by Christ Jesus. We are free to love and serve one another as we thank, praise, serve, and obey God.