What are many church members depending on instead of the finished work of the cross?
Many church members are depending on something of the flesh that they have done—such as circumcision or any fleshly work—rather than totally relying on the finished work of the cross. Paul warns that adding even one fleshly act to the cross cancels its benefit, so Christ profits them nothing.
Les explains that the Galatian believers were warned not to fall victim to legalizers who were making inroads into congregations Paul had established in Asia Minor. Paul writes in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” That yoke is legalism, the law, Judaism. In verse 2 Paul says if they be circumcised—speaking of salvation—and depend on something they can do in the flesh, Christ shall profit them nothing. Les says this shook him up because millions of good people, church members who wouldn’t dream of missing a Sunday morning service, are depending on something of the flesh they have done rather than just relying totally on the finished work of the cross. Any one thing plus the cross cancels the work of the cross. If you do anything in the energy of the flesh, Christ shall profit you nothing.
Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.