When Paul described the Old Covenant as a form of slavery, he then commanded, “Stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Now notice how seriously Scripture treats this matter.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:1-4)
“Do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Remember that this continues a discussion about the covenant “from Mount Sinai.” To go back under that law is to leave freedom, to return to slavery and to lose salvation. For those who submit to circumcision as a religious rule, Scripture says, “Christ will be of no advantage to you” (Galatians 5:2). To those trying to be justified by law, Scripture says, “You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace” (Galatians 5:4).
No one can be saved while cut off from Christ (“severed from Christ”). No one can come near to God apart from grace (“you have fallen away from grace”). If such a stern warning was needed then, it is needed today also. Anyone who tries to enforce one part of the law should be consistent and enforce it all. “He is obligated to keep the whole law” (Galatians 5:3). If one part is binding, then all of it is binding. Yet God’s word makes it clear that the law is no longer binding on God’s people.