Second Day of Lent
Posted on February 15, 2024 by under
Scripture: Galatians 5:5-14 (NKJV)
5:5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.
11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Devotion
Faith works through love—no matter how small the legal demand. Saint Paul argues against any submission to the legal requirements of the Old Testament Law if one’s goal is winning redemption or salvation. Justification before God comes only through His promised Redeemer and faith in Him through the grace of His Spirit.
Gospel freedom is living by the power and leading of the Spirit. It means struggling against the flesh and its desires. Christ’s death to sin becomes a reality in those who belong to Christ through faith. The Apostle drives home the danger of compromising this Gospel reality, as well as his contempt for such compromisers, with his brutal assessment of recommending they “would emasculate themselves” (“cut themselves off ”) if they are so fond of circumcision as a sign of piety or worthiness before God. Faith trusts in Jesus Christ and His work for the fulfillment of our salvation. All other works and signs must be understood according to His teaching, which shows that some of the old things have passed away, but the fullness of His work is shown in love according to His Word and Spirit!
Collect: Almighty and Everlasting God, Who hatest nothing that Thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of Thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
