As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters.* Amen. (Galatians 6: 16-18)

The rule - kanon or principle - is to avoid the distraction of various legalisms and to fully accept the liberty of Christ crucified.

In his incarnation and crucifixion Jesus Christ demonstrates the purpose and power of self-sacrifice or - perhaps better - self-emptying.

From the gospels we know that Jesus was patient and forgiving of every human weakness except that of spiritual pride.

For Paul the Galatians are on the edge of choosing a path that ends in spiritual pride. Perhaps it is a path that begins with spiritual pride.

This is a profoundly dangerous path. Every other sin can - and often does - intersect with the path of righteousness.

Many sins may actually bring us - finally - closer to God. But spiritual pride leads us farther and farther away.

The laws of Moses - circumcision and more - can be beneficial in understanding what it means to love your neighbor as yourself.

But the laws are dangerous if they tempt us to focus on our own righteousness instead of the need to empty ourselves and thereby participate in the righteousness of God.

The laws are perverted and even satanic if they lead us to judge others rather than love others.

Jesus fulfilled the laws by emptying himself on the cross. We are called to fulfill the law's true purpose by giving ourselves fully to Christ.

Above is Paul in Prison by Rembrandt.