Religious observances cannot add to the effectiveness of the cross. Religious acts, such as circumcision, can only detract from the wisdom and power of the cross of Christ. This is why Paul, in writing to the Galatians, pointed toward the cross.

O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? (Galatians 3:1).

And I, brothers, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased (Galatians 5:11).

And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts (Galatians 5:24).

Our common position on the cross makes the Jewish believer and the Gentile believer one Body of Christ.

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby (Ephesians 2:16).

Our death with Christ on the cross frees us from the legal requirements of the Law of Moses.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (Romans 7:4)

Death on the cross is an act of obedience to God our Father.

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).

The "Christians" who live in the flesh, serving themselves by using the things of Christ to their own advantage, are the enemies of the cross.

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ (Philippians 3:18).

The true saint of God fixes his attention on Jesus, endures the death of the cross, and makes his pilgrimage toward the right hand of God.

What is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is the forming of the Life of Christ in a human being. The Kingdom of God consists of human beings in whom Christ has been brought forth. In order for the Kingdom of God to exist there must be two births. There must be the birth from a woman, and then Christ must be born in us.

The Kingdom of God is the union of a human being with God through Christ.

When Jesus appears, those whose life Christ is will appear with Him. The appearance of Christ and those in whom He is formed and abiding is the coming of the Kingdom of God into the earth.

In the present hour the Kingdom of God is at the right hand of the Father. Every person in whom Christ is living is there at the right hand of God—in and with Christ (Colossians 3:1-4).

In the Day of Christ, the Kingdom of God, which is Christ and those in whom Christ is dwelling, will be revealed in the fullness of the power of God for all nations to behold (John 17:21-23).

The world is to repent because the Kingdom of God is at hand and soon will be a visible reality in the earth. When the Kingdom of God comes to the earth all sin will be destroyed.

It is our death with Christ on the cross that makes it possible for the Life of Christ to come forth in us. Thus the cross is seen to be the mainspring of our salvation and the means by which we enter the Kingdom of God. (from The Cross and the New Creation; A Study Guide for the Book of Galatians)