Galatians 6:12 (The Passion Translation) All those who insist that you be circumcised must do anything are recruiting you so they can boast in their own works. They are attempting to avoid the persecution that comes with preaching the liberating message of the cross of Messiah!

Paul is speaking to a particular people who insisted on circumcision. They were called Judaizers. The principle of insisting on anything as a qualification for eternal salvation is wrong. The liberating message of the cross is all that is required.

Question anyone who tells you that you must do anything to keep your salvation. Where is their scriptural support for insistence? Is their practice universal or particular to a denomination? I do not want to fill a new believer’s head full of concerns about their relationships in fellowship. I would caution anyone, old or new, in the practice of insistence.

We all must be patient and wait on the Lord. Growth in the Lord comes at different rates. You cannot expect others to “keep up” nor should you fell less saved because others “get it” while you still struggle. Change from being worldly to being spiritual can be a joyous journey if you are not burdened with unnecessary demands. Encouragement should not sound like a demand. Don’t insist.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Gifts do not come with demands. This gift of grace is given in love and to feel the love and receive it into your heart is that first sign of your eternal salvation. How you deal with that, how it changes you and what to do with it is a life lived.

Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

If I am to train up new Christians, I would start with this verse from the Old Testament. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior the tendencies are to get right into His teachings, Who He was, what He did, how He did it, why He did it, and to use that as a roadmap of service. That was one long run on sentence and being a new born Christian those early teachings can feel just like that, a long list of things to remember and to do.

Here with Micah is a valuable piece of information. “What does the Lord require of you?” What are His expectations of you? The answer was simple, clear and not overly burdensome.

Do justly. The exercise of sound judgement has to be measured and without irrational emotions. You can only exercise as much right judgement as you have proper understanding.

Love mercy. Lean towards mercy in judgement until you are fully grown and have developed discernment over more complicated matters. Do not be hasty.

Walk humbly with God. Walking with God is absolutely the most important aspect here. Humility may not be the easiest thing to accomplish in being a Christian. See yourself as a small child that only wants to take His hand, that the hand hold is more important than anything. It is more important than your surroundings, your path, or your destination.

If as a new Christian you can learn this lesson, get it right, make it a foundation for training, then all that follows will become easier.