I myself have never been a big fan of sororities and fraternities; however, I know there are some good ones out there that do good work for the sake of their communities.  The main reason I don’t like them is because most of them want you to be initiated into the group.  It’s sad to me because there are many young adults who would do just about anything to be included and be a part of something. Often, these people are taken advantage of.  Some have even died in the act of “initiation.”

In Galatians 2:11-21, St. Paul is talking to the congregation of the Galatians and what at one time had separated the Jews and the Gentiles.  Remember that Paul was sent by God to preach to the Gentiles.  The Gentiles are his mission.  Circumcision was (and may still be) a big part of the Jewish faith.  Gentiles – or non-Jews did not circumcise.  But, they wanted to!  They wanted to be a part of who Jesus Christ was – that is, Jesus was a Jew!  So, this whole issue of whether or not, to be circumcised, became a ‘side-bar’ for the Gospel.  In other words, the people got hung-up about the truth of Jesus Christ – “We are justified not by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ” (v. 16). The Jews had a LAW that said that their circumcision justified who they were – but there is not anything that one can do to be justified in Christ Jesus!  It is only our faith!

As a Christian, the Law only pertains to us so that our sins are revealed and we recognize our mistakes.  The Law causes us to REPENT!  It is the Holy Spirit that WORKS in us – not anything of our own doing! “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (v.20).  This is the whole reason Jesus died on the cross.

Let us pray, Gracious God, I love you so much when I realize and understand there is nothing that I can do to live a life of Christ.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit, I am made clean and whole when my sin is revealed to me through your Law.  It’s so perfect in every way!  Amen.