Faith Expressing Itself Through Love
The only thing that counts and has value
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
Galatians 5:6
These are beautiful words that came to me this morning via the Father. The only thing that counts in this Christian walk is faith and love. If you can do those, you’ve got all your bases covered. Backing up to the first part, we also see that it’s through no effort of your own, paradoxically. Your “circumcision” or “uncircumcision” holds no value. Interesting choice of words. Paul is always careful with his meaning and words. Circumcision here was meant literally and figuratively.
To the Jews and Gentiles of his day, he was saying you cannot perfect your body to attain salvation and holiness. You can add no value to who you are in Christ. To us, in whatever year you find yourself, Paul’s meaning is you cannot do more to be accepted by Christ. You do not have to add things, and you cannot take anything away that will increase your value or acceptance.
Value.
That is the keyword in the first sentence. There is only one holy one who has value. “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
From Martin Luther’s Commentary on Galatians, we find this further exploration of the text:
“Works avail nothing, but faith alone, and that without any merit whatever, avails before God. On the other hand, the Apostle declares that without fruits faith serves no purpose. To think, "If faith justifies without works, let us work nothing," is to despise the grace of God. Idle faith is not justifying faith. In this terse manner Paul presents the whole life of a Christian. Inwardly it consists in faith towards God, outwardly in love towards our fellow-men.”1
It really is a marvelous text that preaches the whole Gospel. It also shows the little we do have to do: have faith and express it with love. He knew he had to add the love part because faith alone is not enough. Love is the true mark of a follower of Christ. I always think of Jesus saying the way the world will know we are Christians is if we love one another. Not if we serve, give generously, worship openly in the streets, preach the Gospel, or talk about Jesus all day long—and all these things are good—but it is through our love for our own fellow Christians. This is the fruit of a changed life.
Dear Jesus,
Help us to express our love for one another,
Help us to have faith that is visible through love,
and convince us that nothing we do can perfect this model
Amen.
Luther, Martin. A Commentary on St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians. Translated by Theodore Graebner. Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. 1483-1546. Page 129.