Time for some honest reflection.
My best friend and I were addicted to Cover Girl powder and Aquanet hairspray back in high school. We used almost every break between classes to make sure our noses weren't the least bit shiny and that our giant bangs hadn't started to wilt.
I realize that the root of that addiction went deeper than covering a teenage complexion. We wanted to look good so we would be accepted. If we could get our outsides perfect, maybe we could fool others to think that we were the same way inside.
As we uncover more highlights from the book of Galatians, we notice that this church seemed to be preoccupied with their appearance as well. In verse 10 of chapter 4, we read that the Galatians felt righteous by celebrating certain days and seasons when in fact, these God-ordained festivals had become empty and weak substitutes for a relationship with Christ.
At the beginning of chapter 5 we learn that the Galatians were also seeing justification in the act of circumcision. At first, this physical sign doesn't seem to apply to our modern lives, but when we look at it in more general terms as an outward expression to gain acceptance and approval, we realize that we all have the temptation to replace grace with more spiritual hairspray.
At the beginning of chapter 5 we learn that the Galatians were also seeing justification in the act of circumcision. At first, this physical sign doesn't seem to apply to our modern lives, but when we look at it in more general terms as an outward expression to gain acceptance and approval, we realize that we all have the temptation to replace grace with more spiritual hairspray.
I absolutely love verse 6:
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value.
The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Is it wrong to be circumcised? No.
Is it wrong to observe certain holidays and festivals? Of course not.
Is it wrong to attend church regularly? I'm a pastor's wife. I would encourage it!
Is it wrong to strive to read my Bible consistently? Not a problem.
The issue isn't with the actions themselves, but with the motivation behind them.
When we do anything simply to look righteous to God or others, it is as empty as another layer of pressed powder on our nose.
Our lives as wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, must be centered-on and fueled by faith in the fact that Christ has abolished the formal rituals of sacrifice and penance. When I am overcome with the love He gave, I am motivated to outward actions that are infused with that same love.
As we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:14, it is the love of Christ (not self) that motivates and compels us to live justly. We no longer ask, What do others think of me? Instead we seek to show others more and more of Christ living IN me!