Galatians Chapter Two

Read Today's Passage

There is a lot of heady stuff in today's passage. Did you know that Paul had to call Peter to the carpet for being dumb before today? I think that we all have the same tendencies when it comes to associating with other Christians. It is natural to gravitate towards those who we share something in common with. But to withdraw from some because of cosmetic issues is ridiculous.

Now, bearing in mind that circumcision is a bit more involved than any of my examples, follow in my thinking. Say you are a Christian. Say it! And you have been for a while. Then some new person walks in and you notice that even though they are engaging in the worship service fully, singing, raising hands, taking notes from the Pastor's sermon - you can be confident that they are a member of the body - you hold back from getting involved. Why? Because they are covered in tattoos. Or they are wearing a suit and tie. Or they wore jeans to church. Or they are old.

You see, with the New Covenant that Jesus gave us, we are no longer required to undergo circumcision of the flesh, but of our hearts. The fleshly circumcision became a status symbol for Jewish Christians, and those who were not circumcised were ostracized and ignored. What practices have we made like circumcision? What do we engage in to show our holiness to the world that is nothing more than a status symbol?