Paul brings his letter to a close. It was common in those days to use a scribe to write letters, so it is probable that Paul did so, but here uses his own hand to demonstrate the authenticity of the letter. There were people who faked letters in those days, the ancient equivalent I suppose of putting fakes posts up on the web. Nothing changes!
Paul then attacks the motives of the circumcision group. They were pretending that in promoting circumcision they were aiming to please God. In reality they were seeking to impress men, and to avoid being persecuted. For one of the reasons Paul was persecuted so much were for what he said about observance of the Law.
The only thing that Paul wants to boast in is the cross. The cross is the only grounds we have for hope. We all go through times when we become terrifyingly aware of our own weakness and failings. In such times we need to look to the cross. Most of us also have some times when we feel rather pleased with ourselves (we do actually get things right sometimes!). In those times we need to look to the cross and remind us where our hope and salvation come from.
What counts is a new creation. This is what God has done for us in Christ. He has done it for us as individuals, and for people as a whole. When we believe in Christ we are born again, we do not get a second chance, we get a new life. The church are the people of God and the foundation for the church, as Jesus said to Peter, is faith in Christ.
Paul then attacks the motives of the circumcision group. They were pretending that in promoting circumcision they were aiming to please God. In reality they were seeking to impress men, and to avoid being persecuted. For one of the reasons Paul was persecuted so much were for what he said about observance of the Law.
The only thing that Paul wants to boast in is the cross. The cross is the only grounds we have for hope. We all go through times when we become terrifyingly aware of our own weakness and failings. In such times we need to look to the cross. Most of us also have some times when we feel rather pleased with ourselves (we do actually get things right sometimes!). In those times we need to look to the cross and remind us where our hope and salvation come from.
What counts is a new creation. This is what God has done for us in Christ. He has done it for us as individuals, and for people as a whole. When we believe in Christ we are born again, we do not get a second chance, we get a new life. The church are the people of God and the foundation for the church, as Jesus said to Peter, is faith in Christ.
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