I wrote Thursday about starting Galatians with a small group from church and noticing that Galatians is not bringing us “a new way of being religious,” but a single worldwide family initiated by Jesus’ resurrection.

Today, I just want to mention another very important sentence in Galatians, so important it appears twice:

Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 5.6, ESV)

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6.15, ESV)

I’m sure you’re aware that circumcision was the sign of the covenant that God instituted with Abraham, first discussed in Genesis 17:

And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. (Genesis 17.9, 10, ESV)

Now Paul, a trained Pharisee, a Jew’s Jew (see Philippians 3.4 – 6), says that it doesn’t matter whether one is circumcised or not circumcised! This is radical.

Folks, if circumcision doesn’t matter, there are A LOT of things that don’t matter! When we baptize and how much water we use comes to mind. Worship and music style? Dress code? Hair length? Speaking in tongues?

Here’s what does count from the two verses above and the third time Paul declares that circumcision doesn’t count:

• Faith working through love (Galatians 5.6)
• A new creation (Galatians 6.15)
• Keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7.19)

I think God is calling us to fewer lines drawn between us and more following Jesus.

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit…So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God. Forget about deciding what’s right for each other. Here’s what you need to be concerned about: that you don’t get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is. (Romans 14.10 – 13, MSG)