"Luther Quotation": 17B
"Yet not even Titus...was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek."
(Galatians 2;3)
Concerning this very important apostolic meeting Luther continues:
"Paul therefore did not condemn circumcision (RELIGIOUS EXERCISES AND DISCIPLINES) as if it was a sin to accept it...But this meeting and council decided that it (CIRCUMCISION) was not necessary for justification (REMISSION OF SINS) and therefore not to be forced on the Gentiles...If anyone wanted to be circumcised, Paul did not compel him to remain uncircumcised, so long as he knew circumcision was not necessary for justification."
That being said, do you believe that YOUR sins are forgiven on account of your good religious efforts (such as reading your bible, the length of your church membership, your faithful tithing of money, your choice to abstain from alcohol or dancing, your participation in missions trips, or your church status (Elder? Deacon?) in the local church?
This Apostolic meeting in the first century decided that NONE OF THESE THINGS can in any way make you just in the sight of God. ONLY Christ alone can make you just in the sight of God.
Christian, do not cease in your pursuit of understanding of and growth in holiness. But you must completely abandon all of these efforts (and all such similar religious efforts) as a means of attaining a just standing before God.
This is the gospel!
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