“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.”
For
The word “for” links verse 15 with verse 14. This verse explains why Paul does not yearn for the world’s applause.
in Christ Jesus
Paul contrasts legalism with the believer’s status quo in God’s eyes — “in Christ Jesus.” Religious ritual cannot measure up to a believer’s position in Christ because Christ did all the work necessary for salvation. He did all that was required to satisfy an absolutely holy God. There was no merit on our part whatsoever.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything,
Circumcision was the pet theological idea of the legalistic Judaizers. Their goal was to get the Gentile Galatian believers to submit to circumcision. Circumcision is of little moment in God’s scheme of things. Human work cuts no ice with God.
but a new creation
It is regeneration that is important, not some religious ritual. The fact that God introduced us to the blessings of grace transcends the mechanics of religion because it transforms the believer into God’s economy. Salvation is an intrinsic change, not an extrinsic one.
Regeneration is the essence of true Christianity. The cross can do what circumcision cannot. Circumcision cannot change lives by radically transforming character, but the cross can. The cross cuts ice with God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The word “new” means new in quality, not new in the sense of recent. The person “in Christ Jesus” is new in quality. He is new because of what Christ did. He now has imputed righteousness — God’s righteousness put into him.
Principle:
Christ did all the work needed to satisfy the standards of an absolutely holy God.
Application:
Religious rites do not impress God. Church membership or baptism is not God’s method of salvation. The central factor that impresses God is the cross and the new standing it affords the person who trusts it for salvation. The Law is powerless to bring about this new transformation. Neglect of the grace provided by the cross is the fundamental error of legalism.
Properly oriented believers always rejoice in what God does and what Christ did because they understand that Christianity is not a merit system. On the contrary, Christianity is a grace system — it is all about what God does in Christ.
