1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Therefore, stand 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 being justified by law; you have fallen from grace!
5 For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
Referenced scripture:
James 2:10, 1 Peter 1:15b-16, Ephesians 2:10, James 2:17-18
Quotes:
“We must not lapse into the idea that we have to win our acceptance with God by our own obedience.” (John R. W. Stott)
“Christ has not set us free from the moral law, which is God’s eternal will for His people, but from the law that leads to sin and death. This is the law that we break when we sin, that Satan uses to accuse us of our guilt, and that sentences us to death.” (Dr. Philip Graham Ryken)
“They [Judaizers] taught that what Moses began in the Old Covenant and Christ added to in the New Covenant had to be finished and perfected by one’s own efforts—the center piece of which was circumcision.” (Dr. John MacArthur)
“If we will not let Christ do everything for us, He can do nothing for us, at least as far as our justification is concerned. If we try to help ourselves, Christ will be no help at all.” (Dr. Philip Graham Ryken)