Archive for the 'Galatians' Category

Galatians 6:18

Published on June 24, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians
 
 
“Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen”
 
We come to the benediction and final word of the apostle Paul to the church at Galatia. Paul does not give any salutation to the Galatians because of their biblical distortions of self-righteousness. He was in the business of serious communication of the principle of grace in this epistle.
 
Brethren,
By his use of “brethren,” Paul extends a touch of love to the Galatians. The Galatians are in the family of God. In the final analysis, the Galatians and Paul are in the family together.
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Paul closes Galatians on a note of grace just as he began the epistle with grace (1:3,6). Paul finishes with his trademark–grace. All his letters close on that note.
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Grace belongs to Jesus Christ. He both bought grace for us and distributes grace to us. Paul’s parting point is that grace revolves around Christ and His work.
be with your spirit.
All Christians need “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ” with their spirit. This is the human spirit. As believers absorb grace, they will grow in Christ. This is Paul’s desire for the Galatians.
Amen
The final word of Galatians is a word of confidence. The word “amen” means so be it. Paul in summary form affirms his own conviction that grace is the centre of Christianity. Self-righteousness is the polar opposite of genuine Christianity.
Principle:
Jesus embodies the principle of grace.
Application:
The Bible is Christ centric and Christ is grace centered. The better we understand the principle of grace, the better we understand and love Jesus Christ.
Share

Galatians 6:17

Published on June 23, 2000 in Galatians. 4 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus”
 
From now on let no one trouble me,
 
Paul gives a challenge to the Galatians to look at the price he paid for taking a stand for the cross of Christ, the doctrine of grace. Paul calls for an end to the conflict over law and grace.
 
for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus
The word “marks” is the Greek word stigma. A stigma was a permanent brand, tattoo or mark burnt into the skin. Paul carried brands around like a cow or a slave. It was a sign of ownership of a cow or slave. Paul’s stigma was a branding for his service in standing for the grace principle. Paul clearly demonstrated the price he paid for the cross. The Galatians saw that themselves when he was in Galatia.
The idea of “bear” is to undergo experiences that mark one as the slave of some master. That is the burden Paul bore. He bore or endured the burden of the cross.
“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:24-28).
Principle:
Christians should carry the indelible mark of belonging to Christ.
Application:
People who take a stand for the grace principle of the cross will pay a price. We must count the cost.
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).
A good measure of our belief system is how much we are willing to pay for it. Do you have the scars to prove it?
We should be careful about assailing the enlistees of the army of Christ. Keep your static to yourself. All annoyances are a distraction from the real reason we are here.
All Christians must carry the blood-stained banner of the cross. They will not be the most popular or pleasing people but they will be faithful to God. We should view ourselves as soldiers, not floating along on a rosy bed of easy. People should clearly mark us as those who belong to Christ, who bear His indelible mark.
Share

Galatians 6:16

Published on June 22, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God”
 
And as many as walk according to this rule,
The word “walk” means to draw up in a line, to proceed in a row as in the march of a soldier, go in order. Militarily the idea is to go in battle order. Secular Greek used the word “rule” for a carpenter’s measuring line. The idea is to direct one’s life, to turn out well by living by fundamental biblical principles.
peace and mercy be upon them,
God’s peace and mercy comes to those who walk according to His principles. Peace here is the peace of God, God’s own peace, the peace that comes from God.
Mercy is the forgiveness of sins (Romans 12:1; Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5). Christians also need God’s mercy in the fight against persecuting legalism.
and upon the Israel of God
The “Israel of God” are Jews, not Gentile Christians. The New Testament is not anti-Semitic. All other 64 occurrences of “Israel” refer to Jews. There are true Jewish believers and those who are not in “the Israel of God.” But the Israel of God are physical Jews who became believers in Christ.
“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called” (Romans 9:6-7)
Principle:
We do not gain peace and mercy by our own devising but by living according to God’s principles.
Application:
Christians receive peace and mercy from God when they follow His principles, not principles of their own devising. The Christian life is a walk, taking one step at a time.
Christians do not walk by their own rules. We follow God’s regulating principles. We cannot establish the principle of salvation nor can we establish the principle of sanctification. We cannot change the conditions of God’s principles. The believer who conforms to His standards will receive His blessings of peace and mercy.
“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).
Share

Galatians 6:15

Published on June 21, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation”
 
For
 
The word “for” links verse 15 with verse 14. This verse explains why Paul does not yearn for the applause of the world.
 
in Christ Jesus
Paul looks at legalism in the light of the believer’s status quo in God’s eyes. Ritual cannot measure up to a believer’s position in Christ because Christ did all the work necessary for salvation. He did all that is necessary to satisfy an absolutely holy God. There was no merit on our part whatsoever.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything,
Circumcision is of little moment in God’s scheme of things. Human work cuts no ice with God. Circumcision was the pet theological idea of the legalistic Judaizers. Their goal was to get the Galatian believers to submit to circumcision.
but a new creation
It is regeneration that is important, not some ritual. The fact that God introduced us into His blessings transcends the mechanics of religion because it transforms the believer into God’s economy. This is an intrinsic change, not extrinsic.
Regeneration is the essence of true Christianity. The cross can do what circumcision cannot do. Circumcision cannot change lives by radical transformation of character but the cross can. The cross cuts ice with God.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The word “new” means new in quality, not new in the sense of recent. The person “in Christ Jesus” is new in quality. He is new because of what Christ did. He now has imputed righteousness–God’s righteousness put into him.
Principle:
Christ did all the work needed to satisfy the standards of an absolutely holy God.
Application:
Religious rites do not impress God. Church membership or baptism do not impress God. The central factor that impresses God is the cross and the new standing that it affords the person who trusts the cross for salvation. The Law is powerless to bring about this new transformation. This is the fundamental error of legalism.
Properly oriented believers always rejoice in what God does and in what Christ did because they understand that Christianity is not a merit system. On the contrary, Christianity is a grace system–it is all about what God does in Christ.
Share

Galatians 6:14b

Published on June 20, 2000 in Galatians. 1 Comment
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”
 
by whom the world has been crucified to me,
 
The Greek tense [perfect] indicates God crucified Paul at the point Christ died on the cross and he stands crucified with Christ. This is our status quo before God eternally. Sin is no longer an issue with God because Christ’s cross dealt with it completely.
 
“For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:19-21)
 
“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).
and I to the world
The word “world” is that which is against God, the satanic order. Paul died to the world system when Christ died on the cross. Those without Christ are victims of Satan’s distorted worldview. Those with Christ have changed their worldview. Although they may fall to temptations within Satan’s order, their status is in a new order, a perfect status with God.
This does not mean the Christian is free from the influence of Satan’s order. It does mean, however, the believer is no longer under the authority of his system. The believer is no longer under bondage to that system because he changed lords when he became a Christian.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:14-19).
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” which all concern things which perish with the using— according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:20-23).
Principle:
The greater the cross looks to us the less the world can lure us.
Application:
Paul looks at the world as if he were on the cross and that is the way the world looks at him.
Paul looks at the world as though he were dead to his aspirations. The greater the glory of the cross looked to him, the less the world attracted him. When our soul feeds on the cross, it closes down our heart for the world. The more our heart feeds on the world, the less our hearts care about the cross.
Share

Galatians 6:14

Published on June 19, 2000 in Galatians. 1 Comment
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”
 
But God forbid
 
“God forbid” is literally may it never come to be. Paul never wanted to boast in anything but the cross. Anything else was unthinkable to him. Glory in self-accomplishment was both an aversion and a worry to him.
 
that I should boast
In contrast to the boast of the legalists, Paul would not boast in anything except the cross of Christ. He refused to boast in himself or in his self-reliance. Paul in his humanity had much he could brag about but all that was so much manure.
“…have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish [manure], that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:3-11).
except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Paul’s boast is in the cross that gives him eternal salvation. At the heart of the cross is the concept of grace. God gave us salvation based on the work of Christ, not our work.
Paul’s “boast” appears to justify pride but the word “boast” in this context carries the idea of praise. The cross was an object of shame to the Judaizers but it was the object of praise to Paul. They gloried in the flesh; Paul gloried in God.
“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).
Principle:
We should never boast in what we do but in what Christ does.
Application:
Religion is based on human performance while Christianity is based on God. Religion always rests on self-righteousness, not God’s righteousness that comes from Christ’s cross.
“But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
The believer does not look for pardon in self but in Christ. If we look for forgiveness in self, we put God under obligation to forgive us. If we glory in the cross, we glory in the matchless attributes of God because it took the cross to give us a perfect and absolute righteousness.
The cross is the accomplishment of Christ, not us. When God does the work, this is grace. When we do the works, this is works-righteousness. Our innate righteousness is only good relative to other people. The righteousness Christ gives us is relative to God’s absolute righteousness. In other words, God declares us as righteous as He is because of the cross.
Legalists put little focus on the cross and more on themselves. To those who are graced-oriented, the cross means everything. We glory in the cross. We totally reject self-righteousness. We hold a clear view of the cross. When Jesus becomes the centre and circumference of our life, we enter into spirituality as it should be lived.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).
Share

Galatians 6:13

Published on June 18, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh”
 
For not even those who are circumcised keep the law,
 
The legalistic Judaizers did not keep the law themselves. They knew this was impossible. They were not consistent with their own standards yet they tried to put others under those standards.
 
“Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” (John 7:19).
 
“For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:18-19).
but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh
The word “boast” means to speak loudly, be loud-tongued, vaunt oneself. The legalistic Judaizers were adamant circumcision was essential for salvation and sanctification. They wanted to brag about how many converts they could get.
Principle:
Religionists are more interested in converts than conversion.
Application:
Religionists often profess a religion they themselves cannot perform. They pretend to live with integrity but their lives deny it. Their real motivation is to gain proselytes to their side.
Share

Galatians 6:12

Published on June 17, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ”
 
Paul now describes his adversaries who hate grace (6:12-13). These people believed circumcision was necessary for salvation and sanctification. The cross plus nothing always offends religion.
 
As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh,
 
The words “good showing” come from two words: good and face. Some Galatians wanted to show their self-righteousness by self-effort. They wanted to put on a good face to make a good impression. Appearance was more important to them than integrity. Many people today use religion as an outward appearance of righteousness. They take pride in external religious observance. Pride motivated legalistic Judaizers.
 
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
these would compel you to be circumcised,
The Judaizers wanted to “compel” the Galatians to be circumcised because this was required by their legalistic standards. They wanted to force the Galatians into this. Legalism is a religion of outward force, not inward compulsion (2:14).
only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ
Not only were the legalists proud but they were cowards as well. The legalists did not want unadulterated grace because they had a vested interest–they were afraid of persecution. They did not want any hassle or trouble for the cause of Christ. They would rather adapt their doctrine to the situation than face persecution. Already there were those who systematically organized a program to oppress those who believed in grace.
“For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16).
“Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles” (Acts 8:1).
There is a correlation between legalism and cowardice. Legalists want security above everything else.
The cross is always an affront to legalism and religion. The cross offends people because we have to swallow our pride and fall at the feet of the cross for salvation. That is the opposite of self-effort and self-righteousness. People hate the idea of grace so much that they persecute those who orient themselves to grace. Our whole system of salvation solely rests on the cross of Christ.
“For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:22-25).
Principle:
Legalism is appearance oriented because it focuses on religious pride.
Application:
Religion that rests on appearance operates on pride. Religion always tries to impress us. Pride is the biggest stumbling block to embracing God’s grace. The fact that Jesus did all of the work for salvation is an affront to our pride.
“And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased” (Galatians 5:11).
The offense of the cross is that it does not need us for salvation. The cross provides everything we need. Jesus finished the work of making us ready for heaven on the cross. That offends religious people. It offends religious pride.
The combination of pride and cowardice is a dangerous mixture. This deadly blend will attack grace every time. People always want to add something to the cross. Man’s system is always the cross plus works or the cross plus baptism or the cross plus something. God’s system is Christ plus nothing. Our readiness for heaven does not depend on baptism or works but solely on the cross.
“The boast measures the man.” That quote shows insight into the nature of man. Those who brag about their accomplishments negate the accomplishments of Christ. Their Christianity is essentially an outward show. They have something to prove but not to God.
Share

Galatians 6:11

Published on June 16, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!”
 
Now we come to the conclusion of the book of Galatians (6:11-18). Paul now writes a personal postscript that emphasizes the main points of the book. He takes a parting shot at the legalists in this section.
 
See with what large letters
Usually Paul dictated his epistles to a secretary to scribe his books. Tertius scribed the book of Romans for Paul (Romans 16:22). However, Paul wrote Galatians himself because of the urgency and importance of the letter.
The words “large letters” does not refer to the length of the book but the size of his handwriting in the conclusion. He wrote in inch high uncial letters. He may have written in large letters because he had poor eyesight.
I have written to you with my own hand
Paul did not use an amanuensis [secretary scribe] to write Galatians. To guarantee that the Galatians knew Paul wrote Galatians, he wrote the epistle in his own handwriting so that they would know it was Paul who gave them the book of Galatians. Many people forged epistles in the first century.
“…not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:2-4).
“The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write” (2 Thessalonians 3:17).
Principle:
Handicaps should not hinder us from ministry.
Application:
No handicap should keep us from ministry. It did not keep Paul from ministry so neither should it keep us from ministry. Paul was not a good orator. He had a poor speaking voice. Yet none of that kept him down.
Some people with handicaps take on a victim mentality. They feel sorry for themselves. They are filled with self-pity. They want everyone to wait on them. That is the worst thing they can do for it limits their potential. Seeking the pity of other people will not help them. It will not fulfil them. The last thing in the world that they need is for people to feel sorry for them. When they take on this attitude, they will fail to serve the Lord. No one has an excuse for not serving the Lord. God expects us to serve Him with or without a handicap.
Share

Galatians 6:10c

Published on June 15, 2000 in Galatians. 0 Comments
Read Introduction to Galatians

 

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith”
 
to all,
The word “to” means towards, face-to-face. Spirit-filled believers are willing to deal with people face to face. They deal with others with a sense of rapport.
Spirit-filled believers do not limit their good to Christians only; they are willing to do good to “all,” whether Christians or non-Christians.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
especially to those who are of the household of faith
The word “household” signifies belonging to, a house. The household of faith is the company of the redeemed, children of God, the family of God.
“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death” (1 John 3:14).
“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).
The definite article before the word “faith” in the Greek emphasizes “those who belong to the faith.” Paul discriminates between the saved and the lost here. God selects the saved for special treatment. An evangelical Christian is a dirty word to many people on television yet they are God’s people. If there is a choice, God’s people are to give priority to God’s people.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:10).
Principle:
God’s people must stick together for the cause of Christ.
Application:
Philanthropy is a good thing but there is something better–the cause of the family of God. There is a massive difference between Gentile philanthropy and Christian work. Most pagan philanthropists will not give a dime to Christian work.
God’s people ought to support God’s work. God’s work has a prior claim over secular work. Many of God’s ministries are dirt poor. This is a disgrace and shame. This is because God’s people support the great secular foundations of this world and neglect God’s ministries. This is especially true with the baby boom generation.
Baby boomers give as much as previous generations but the proportion is much more directed toward secular institutions. They have lost a sense of the eternal, of heaven and hell. They respond to temporal maudlin needs rather than eternal issues. They could not care less about the family of God or about getting people into the family of God. They want to impress those around them.
“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God…” (Ephesians 2:19).
God’s people must stick together for the cause of Christ.
Share