“Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule – to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” (Galatians 6:12-17)

“It is easy to get caught up with externals. Beware of those who emphasize actions that we should or shouldn’t do, with no concern for the inward condition of the heart. Living a good life without an inward change leads to a shallow or empty spiritual walk. What matters to God is that we be completely changed from the inside out.” – Zondervan, NIV Life Application Study Bible

There is a lot going on in these verses, however, the central theme boils down to the following main point. No one action, or inaction, performed by man can rise above what Christ Jesus did on the cross. With our faith in Jesus, no other ritualistic acts matter. Paul is still contenting with the Jews who say Christians must become Jewish first. Meaning they need to follow the Law and be circumcised. Here Paul’s main argument is that any rule in addition to faith in Jesus, subtracts from Jesus’ sacrifice. We would be saying that Christ’s death and resurrection wasn’t enough; we also need this or that <fill-in-the-blank>, to be saved. These early Jewish-Christians were a stumbling block for the gentile-Christians (And Paul wasn’t having it). Today, remember that salvation rests on our faith in Christ Jesus alone.