With freedom comes responsibility. In this text, Paul addressed the problem of believers in Christ thinking that legalism, or doing religious works, made persons more acceptable to God. Verse Two reads, "Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ cannot help you."

Of course, living right is very important. However, our means and methods for living in righteousness are not by efforts to keep external regulations in our own strength. Nor do we try to "please God" by our own standards. Our righteousness is the gift of God that was "birthed" within us when we received Christ as Lord and Savior (Romans 3:24). Now we look to God and His Word to reveal in us His character and standard for living. Now we obey God "from the heart." (Romans 6:17)

We WANT to live right because we are free from our old sinful nature. God's love saved us and gave us freedom. Now we choose to make love the basis of our responsibility to God and others.