Avail — to empower, to make strong; to give merit or value; to give advantage

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6).

Mark, a servant of Jesus, puts no stock in circumcision nor in uncircumcision. He accepts the New Testament standard that these do not give spiritual or moral power, strength, value, merit, or advantage.

Fine.

Does my life reveal equal acceptance of the last part of the verse?

The Christian’s standing before Jesus and his power for living the life of Jesus both come because of his faith in the Lord’s redeeming work.

That faith works by love.

My faith needs help.

The Apostle Paul very directly and clearly told the Galatians where they had gone astray and what they needed to do to get back on track.

Now wonder he wrote: “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16).

His intent wasn’t to cut them off or cut them down. His goal was to show them their need and restore them.

I can see that easily enough in the Paul-Galatians relationship.

How difficult, though, to see it in some of the relationships involving me!

I hope none of my friends so fear alienating me that they avoid telling me the truth.

Therefore, I purpose to keep working at being more open to correction.