God has always expected us to follow those whom He places in our path to guide us to salvation:

De Maria says:

September 21, 2012 at 9:20 pm

Hi Steve,

You said,

Steve Martin says:
September 21, 2012 at 7:33 am
Circumcision being an act that we do, Paul is saying that what we do is neither here, nor there.

You don’t gain anything in God’s eyes by being circumcised, and you don’t gain anything in God’s eyes by not being circumcised. What we do, or what we don’t do, is of no avail.

You’re leaving out half of the equation. The entire sentence says:

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.

So, circumcision doesn’t matter.
And, uncircumcision doesn’t matter.
But keeping the Commandments of God is the only thing that matters.

Now, if we go back and get a bit of context, St. Paul is saying that it doesn’t matter if we are circumcised, or if we are not, if we are slave or we are free, all that matters is that we obey God and keep His Commands.

By no means does that say that we are free to disavow the Word of God and behave anyway that we want, and simply claim to have faith.

It is only by faith,

NOT unless you don’t mind contradicting Scripture. Because elsewhere, Scripture is clear:
James 2:24
King James Version (KJV)
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

in Christ, and Him alone that gains you anything.

Nowhere does scripture say this either. God has always expected us to follow those whom He places in our path to guide us to salvation:
Hebrews 13:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

This is why He raised up Moses, the Prophets and King David and Solomon etc. etc.

And (as he says in elsewhere) “This is not a work that you do, faith is a gift. Lest anyone should boast.”
Give us the Chapter and verse and as good Bereans, we’ll examine. In the meantime, we’ll continue examining what Devin provided. He is also correct about this. Keeping the Commandments is the same thing as faith working by love and as the New Creation. Because it is those who keep the Commandments and persevere in good works who attain the New Creation:
Revelation 22:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

It is they who receive eternal life:
Romans 2:7
King James Version (KJV)
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

It is they who are justified:
Romans 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

Great post, Devin. Thank you.

With that, I agree.

Sincerely,

De Maria