by Jerry Senn
“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace... For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is any avail, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:4-6, RSV).
“Good work, righteous work, even holy work, can be a distraction if we are not centered upon the Lord. Knowing Christ must come before serving Christ or else our service will be barren and our hearts will be frustrated” (Douglas Parsons).
Our faith works (functions) properly when it flows from an open and contrite heart, a heart which is motivated by gratitude for God’s love, and is focused on pleasing Him above everything.
“We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:8-9, RSV).