Uncommen: Live FreeSample

Real Faith

Paul uses the perfect phrasing in today's passage to follow up on our previous passage. Yesterday, we said that we shouldn't rely on good works for our salvation and trust in Christ.

"For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." Galatians 5:5-6 (ESV)

Today, we are told to "eagerly wait." There is no earning in this equation. Legalism has no space in the Christian's life. We are eagerly awaiting the hope of righteousness, by faith. 

For one, this admits that it's the work of Christ in us. Secondly, it points us to the joy of ongoing sanctification. We should desire to be pruned and challenged by the Holy Spirit so that we may glorify God more.


Again, Paul mentions how useless circumcision is to the believer. It means quite literally nothing. What matters is "faith working through love." What a powerful statement!

David Guzik of Enduring Word says, "You have faith? Wonderful; but it must be faith working through love. If your faith doesn't work, it isn't real faith. If it doesn't work through love, it isn't real faith. But your love alone isn't enough; your love must also have faith: an abiding trust in Jesus and what He did for us."

This statement from Paul, "faith working by love", makes the passage so practical for the everyday believer. Circumcision means nothing, but what does matter is that your faith works through love. Just a few verses later in this very chapter, Paul says, "For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"


As a reminder, we will never do this perfectly, but we can strive to love our neighbors by God's grace.

UNCOMMEN Question: Do you love the pruning work of the Holy Spirit?


UNCOMMEN Challenge: Love your neighbor.