We Are Not Under the Law but Under Grace

While the Old Testament (Genesis 17:10-14) establishes circumcision as a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people, the New Testament (Galatians 5:2-6) emphasizes that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has value, and that faith in Christ is what matters. 

Old Testament Context: In Genesis 17:10-14, God commands Abraham and his descendants to be circumcised, making it a sign of the covenant between God and the Jewish people. 

New Testament Perspective: The New Testament, particularly Paul's letter to the Galatians, argues that salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law (including circumcision). 

Paul states in Galatians 5:2-6 that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you, and that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value, but faith expressing itself through love. 

The New Testament emphasizes that what matters is faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to the Old Testament laws or practices, including circumcision. 

Acts 15: The Council of Jerusalem, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed the issue of circumcision and concluded that Gentiles who have become Christians do not need to be circumcised. 

Colossians 2:11-12: This passage speaks of a spiritual circumcision, "circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith."

1 Corinthians 7:18-24: Paul advises people to accept their lot in life and not seek circumcision or uncircumcision, or slavery or freedom. 

Acts 16:3: Paul circumcised Timothy because of the Jews who were in those places, and because Timothy's father was a Greek, Paul thought circumcising Timothy would be best. 

Romans 6:14: "For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law but under grace." 

This verse, along with surrounding verses in Romans 6, emphasizes that believers are freed from the dominion of sin and the law, and instead are under the power of God's grace. 

Paul is discussing the implications of being "dead to sin" and "alive to God" through faith in Christ. 

"Not under the law" This doesn't mean that believers are free to disobey God's will or to live in sin, but rather that the law is no longer the primary force governing their lives. 

"Under grace" Believers are now under the power of God's unmerited favor and love, which empowers them to live a life pleasing to God. 

Romans 6:15-23: These verses further explain how this freedom from the law leads to a life of obedience and righteousness, not licentiousness.

“Licentiousness" refers to unrestrained and immoral behavior, especially regarding sexual conduct, characterized by a lack of moral restraint or disregard for rules and norms. 

Romans 7:4: "So, my brothers and sisters, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, that you may belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, so that we may bear fruit for God." 

Romans 7:6: "But now, having died to what once bound us, we are released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." 

Galatians 3:24: "So the law was our guardian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith." 

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." 

Galatians 5:18: "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Those who are guided by the Holy Spirit are freed from the constraints of the law, allowing them to live by faith and grace rather than legalistic adherence. 

The verse highlights the contrast between being led by the Spirit and being under the law. Paul is not suggesting that Christians are completely free from all moral obligations, but rather that they are freed from the burden of trying to earn righteousness through the law. 

Freedom in Christ: Being led by the Spirit means being guided by God's grace and love, which leads to a life of freedom and joy, rather than a life of legalistic obligation. 

Not Under Condemnation: When we are led by the Spirit, we are not under the condemnation of the law because Christ has already fulfilled its requirements. 

Fruit of the Spirit: Instead of focusing on outward obedience to the law, those who are led by the Spirit produce the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Living in Freedom: Galatians 5:18 emphasizes that being led by the Spirit means living in freedom, not freedom to do whatever we want, but freedom from the bondage of the law. 

Not a Lawless Life: The verse does not mean that those who are led by the Spirit are lawless. Rather, they are free from the legalistic mindset that seeks to earn salvation through work.