RTW 2023

Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save.

Galatians 6:12

What is being forced on the church today, not necessarily to prove we are saved… to adhere to legalism as in the text?

• Wokeness
• Secularism
• Biblical irrelevance
• Replacement Theology
• Anti-Semitism
• Alternative definitions to gender and marriage
• Killing a baby is right and should be accepted
• Multiple ways to heaven
• All are God’s children mentality
• Hell isn’t real

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
2 Timothy 3:1-5

So what do we do when the something that is not aligned with the teachings of Christ is being forced upon us.

• Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous.^, Be strong.
  1 Corinthians 16:13 (NLT)
• Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
  Ephesians 6:11 (NLT)
• Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
  Romans 12:2 (NLT)
• But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
  1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV)

Paul said summed it: my interest in this world has to be crucified.

• Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not.
  Galatians 6:14b-15

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The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of his promise.
Galatians 4:23

God does not need my help to bring His promise to fruition. What human attempt have I made to bring a promise to fulfillment in my life?

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My interest in this world must to be crucified.