6. Circumcision and uncircumcision aren't worth anything to those who believe in Christ Jesus. The only thing that really counts is faith that shows itself through love.
7. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?
8. The One who chooses you does not keep you from obeying the truth.
9. You should know that "just a little yeast works its way through the whole batch of dough."
10. The Lord makes me certain that you will not think in any other way. The one who has gotten you all mixed up will pay the price. It doesn't matter who that may be.
11. Brothers and sisters, I am not still preaching that people must be circumcised. If I were, why am I still being opposed? If that were what I preach, then the cross wouldn't upset anyone.
12. So then, what about troublemakers who try to get others to be circumcised? I wish they would go the whole way! I wish they would cut off everything that marks them as men!
13. My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don't use your freedom as an excuse to live in sin. Instead, serve one another in love.
14. The whole law can be found in a single command. "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." (Leviticus 19:18)
15. You must not keep on biting each other. You must not keep eating each other up. Watch out! You might destroy each other.
16. So I say, live by the Holy Spirit's power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do.
17. The sinful nature does not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the sinful nature delights in. The two are at war with each other. That's what makes you do what you don't want to do.
18. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the authority of the law.