Oil and Water Don't Mix

We all heard the phase "oil and water don’t mix". This is true, today Paul is telling the Galatians that "works and faith don’t mix", when it comes to receiving salvation. He is telling them that they can not place their trust in the work of circumcision and the work of Christ at the same time. Faith must stand alone when it comes to salvation. Yes, our faith will involve us in works. There will be many things that we do in our lives because of our faith. But we must never trust in those works to receive salvation. In fact Paul warns us that the sheer fact that we try and earn salvation destroys the work of faith to the point of having no affect on us.

Gal 5:1-6
1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3 And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. NASU

I want to ask you today, "Are you trying to earn salvation?" Are you helping in a church/mission so that you can get into heaven or receive some blessing from God? If you are, they will have no use to you. Unless you trust in the work of Christ death and resurrection alone you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Today, confess your sins and place your trust in Christ alone for salvation.

Explore for yourself.
1 From what did Christ set us free?
2. How does circumcision nullify Christ’s benefit?
3. What happens to those who are circumcised?
4, What do we do "Today" that places us under the law?
5. How could these severe us from Christ?
6. Why does Paul say we have fallen from Christ?
7. What is the only thing that matters to Christ?