We like our rules and our rituals – it seems to be endemic to the human condition. The entire book of Galatians was written to address this problem, and, indeed, it is a problem. And it’s not just Galatians (or Hebrews that we read just before Galatians). Look what Paul wrote in Colossians:

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. (Colossians 2.20 – 23, ESV)

“No value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.” Bible teacher Dave Wyrtzen wrote recently about an experience he had a number of years ago trying to order pizza with another pastor. They couldn’t agree on what kind of pizza to order because the other pastor had committed himself to keep the Old Testament dietary laws. The sad ending to the story is that Dave heard later that a few years after the pizza incident, the fellow had left his wife and run off with his secretary. Indeed, eating kosher had not prevented the indulgence of the flesh.

Maybe that’s why Paul wrote twice in Galatians some very startling words:

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)

“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything.” What does count, Paul?

• Faith working through love
• A new creation

For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again…Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5.14, 15, 17, NKJV)