Re-reading Paul

I do not consider myself a Biblical scholar by any means. And for the past couple of months, my own time with the Scriptures (and reading in general) has been somewhat on the shelf as we've worked through Wes' feet issues (he did get his casts off yesterday- yeah!). But this past week I've been able to spend some time in Galatians, and am re-reading Paul in light of his perspective on what we might call 'good deeds'. The apostle Paul is obvioulsy infamous in his advance and defense of a gospel without works. Many of the verses I memorized growing up centered on this this theme (Ephesians 2:8, Romans 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, etc) and Paul often stresses the grace and 'freeness' that surround the gospel. In Galatians, Paul apparently resumes this theme by chastizing the Jewish folks for insisting that the gentile converts be circumcised per teh Jewish custom. He even admonishes Peter for his hypocrisy over his table fellowship. But later on in Galatians, Paul seems to make a new argument for the importance of good works in connection with the gospel. Consider the following:

• Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neitehr circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; but faith working through love"
• 5:13 "for you were called to freedom, brethern; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another"
• 5:14 "you shall love your neighbor as yourself"
• 5:22-23 "the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control . . .
• 6:9-10 "let us not become weary in doing good, for in due time we will if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith".

Don't read what I'm not writing: I'm not arguing for a works-based salvation. But I do find it interesting, and challenging, that the man who we presume to be the ultimate defender of a works-less gospel also has a few things to say about the idea of works.