What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "The relationship between circumcision and faith in Galatians 5:6"
Answer
In Galatians 5:6 Paul makes clear that neither circumcision nor the lack thereof (uncircumcision) has any value before God, because they possess no power for redemption. What matters is faith alone, which works through love and, as “God’s work” in a person, causes the keeping of the commandments.
The relationship shows that human works or religious rituals used as means of justification render Christ useless; genuine faith, on the other hand, is not merely head knowledge, but a living power that transforms character.
The Ineffectiveness of Circumcision Compared to Working Faith
»‘In Christ Jesus’ – that is, whoever believes in Jesus – ‘neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value’ – neither works have any value nor the lack of works – ‘but the FAITH THAT WORKS.’ ‘In Christ Jesus’ … neither the keeping of the commandments has any value nor the not keeping of the commandments; ‘but the FAITH THAT works through LOVE’ – the faith that keeps God’s commandments; for ‘that is the LOVE to GOD, that we keep his commandments.’ And whoever has Christ and is in Christ has IN CHRIST the complete keeping of all commandments.«
Circumcision as Rejection of Christ When Misapplied
»Paul repeatedly emphasizes that it makes no difference whether a person is circumcised or not. “Being circumcised is nothing, and being uncircumcised is nothing.” But when people submitted to it in order to be justified, it became a serious matter at that moment, for such an act is a rejection of Christ. ... The Galatians had lost their faith in Christ and consequently became sinners “under the law,” by adopting an evangel of works instead of faith.«
The Meaning of the Word “Validity” (Ability)
»The word that is translated here as “is valid” [availeth] is the same word that elsewhere is rendered as “able” or “can do.” The statement therefore means: Circumcision is not capable of doing anything, nor is uncircumcision; only faith, which works through love, can do something. ... Since only Christ’s faith can preserve the righteousness of the law, we have no opportunity to boast about what we have done.«
True Faith as a Sign of Discipleship
»In these words the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, assures us that all our outward privileges, all our lofty profession of acceptance before God, cannot take the place of faith. Sincere faith in Christ is the only thing that can secure our entry into the city of God. Faith in Christ, expressed in life and character and revealed in love for God and our brothers, makes a person a force in the world and in the church.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
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