1. Faith is expressed in love (1-6)

Sometimes Christians become confused about how to please God. Over-zealous Jewish Christians in Paul's day insisted that Gentile Christians be circumcised. Paul called this the yoke of slavery. Religious ritual does not save anybody. We are saved by God's grace, through faith in Jesus alone. The gospel is sufficient to save sinners. Religious ceremonies such as circumcision (or even mass, confession, baptism or communion) cannot make a person righteous. Our faith in Jesus must be expressed in love.

2. You were running a good race (7-12)

What happened? Someone came and planted doubt in the hearts of growing Christians. Doubt is the gift of Satan. Paul was angry. The cross of Jesus offends those who don't want to repent of sin, those who do not want to die with Jesus. But there can be no substitute for repentance and faith.

Application: Lord, help me to express my faith in life that builds up fellow believers.
One Word: In Christ we are free to love