Galatians 5:11 Preach the Gospel, For It Pleases God

Galatians 5:11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

If people are circumcised, does persecution stop? Is the gospel offensive because we are not preaching one point of the Law? Most certainly not. The issue that Paul is raising is not circumcision in and of itself. The issue is that the gospel is offensive because it strikes down self-righteousness. The gospel is offensive, it is a stumbling block because it proclaims all men to be under the power of sin—not morally good. It offends people and causes them to become outraged because it tells them that they are in need of a righteousness that is alien to themselves; it tells them that they need pure grace, and that they are helpless.

Brothers and sisters, this is a major issue in America today. Many churches, having become dead under liberalism, have adopted the secular view that all men are equal and all are generally good. Sin has become little more than a few mistakes a person makes—it is most certainly not taught that people are ruled by evil and that all their inclinations are constantly toward evil (cf. Genesis 6:5). Thus, since a person must strive in his/her own power, the cross is not the only way to God. Jesus is thrown in the mix with all the other religions. Pluralism ensues. Even more than this, those who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ as it is laid out in Scripture are harassed and mocked as living in the Stone Ages.

If we would merely turn and preach that circumcision is an acceptable way to God, this light affliction would cease (though perhaps it is not as light as some claim it is). If we would stop preaching the cross, i.e. the wretchedness of sin to the Holy God and the need for One who is perfect to take our place in both obedience and propitiation, then their would not be such a stumbling block to people. We would see an influx of people who desire the mere self-help version of the Bible. People would not be offended that we tell them of their sin and their need of turning from their style of life. If the cross is abolished, the path will be wide and the gates will be swung wide open for all to waltz through. However, is this the way of God?

Is not what we preach, “The gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God”? (2 Corinthians 4:4). The gospel is foolishness to the liberal churches and to the secular world because it is foolishness to them (1 Corinthians 1:18). And why not, for if men are inherently good then the cross is absolutely unnecessary. However, to us, the gospel is the power of God. God has destroyed the boasting of the wise of this world. God has elected us, and has put within us the His gospel, which makes us appear foolish to the world. Thus, God gets the glory, not those who are wise in their own eyes.

We must continue to preach this offensive message. Only the gospel “is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Only through the gospel does the Spirit come in power to change people’s hearts. Only the gospel can change their lives and turn them back to ways that are pleasing to God. Only the gospel can overcome homosexuality, abortion, addictions, laziness, arrogance, and all the out-springs of sin. Only the gospel can put people in a right relationship with God, and save them from His wrath. May we preach Christ crucified, the stumbling block that it is, in all its power (1 Corinthians 1:23). If we preach it, we will offend men, but we will please God.