Day 1

Galatians 6

¹² 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

 

Pride is something that can cause you a lot of challenges in life. If you suffer from pride, first of all you will never enjoy contentment. This is because you know you are lying to yourself. You like to imagine that you are the best and nobody is better than you, but when you discover that they are actually better than you in certain areas, you feel very frustrated. Pride sets you on a pedestal that will certainly bring you down.

Number two, pride spoils your relationship with others. If you act proudly people want to keep off you. They do not want to relate with you, and anyway, they will be looking for ways to prove you wrong. They will be looking at what is negative about you so that they can try to size you up so that you are no longer proud; and that will certainly spoil your relations!

Thirdly, pride is a way of disbelieving God, because if you knew that everything you have has been given by God, how then would you be proud? You have no basis for being proud when all you have is God given. He is also the one who has given others either more or less

Therefore, humility is biblical, humility is godly, but also humility is useful for you as a person. As you relate with friends it makes you easy to relate to. It is useful even to a manager. You have been managing people, if you act proudly, they look for ways to bring you down. Also, when you are humble, you create teamwork. They talk of you as being a team player, and you are going to end up with higher productivity for your team.

I think that is what Paul was saying in Galatians 6:11,

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

These were Jews who were very proud of their pedigree. You knew they were the children of Abraham. They knew they are special before God. So, if you really want to go to heaven, you must do the things they do. Not that they are required by Christ, but that is what they had in mind. Paul is saying, I am the one writing, this is not somebody else writing on my behalf. I am writing with large letters. and I am writing with my own hands. so understand this is a very serious matter.

¹³ 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. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Thus, pride is the one that is driving the people who were coming to offer the Galatians another Gospel, a Gospel that is not true; a Gospel that will not take you to heaven. They want the pride of being a Jew to be something that is going to be taken seriously. Therefore, anybody else only comes to Christ under the Jewish terms. But Paul who is a Jew is trying to attack that misconception throughout the book of Galatians.

 

Day 2

Galatians 6

¹² 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 obey the rest of the law anyway, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. According to Paul, there are two motivating forces for this wrong Gospel of the law. One, the pride in being a Jew, number two, fear that if you do not accept what the Jews are saying, they will persecute you.

In order to avoid persecution, you want to continue believing in that? and that certainly cause chaos also; when you suffer from insecurity, you need to ask yourself, why are they doing whatever you do?

But you know the second reason why they are doing it, is the desire to make a good showing in the flesh to look good. Pride will cause them to really want to compel everybody to be involved in this activity that is not based on the teachings of Jesus. Why this error? They have come up with it so that they feel in control of the Gentiles. Surely it cannot be that easy for people to say they are going to heaven, and they have not even done the things that the Jews have done? Meanwhile Jews are not remembering the things Jews have said they have done have not helped them as they still have a problem with their salvation.

Therefore, why are they teaching the wrong Gospel? They desire to make a good showing in the flesh. That is why in order to look good they want to make sure the Gentiles they bring to God actually get circumcised. They want to compel them to be circumcised. Like you have just seen, it is also because they do not want to suffer persecution when they think of Christ.

If truth be told, they do not obey the whole law although they are circumcised. Verse 13 is saying,

¹³ 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.

 

In other words, we are being told that by getting circumcised you have kept the law, but there are many, many aspects of the law, that these guys who have been circumcised have themselves not kept. That is why they cannot be said to be obedient to God because they have not kept the law of God. So, how can you tell me to keep one aspect and yet all aspects are supposed to be kept. You know very well you yourself are unable to keep all aspects and even if I keep this one aspect, I will still not be good enough. Is that not the reason Christ died for us?

 

Day 3

Galatians 6

¹³ 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.

 

Paul wants people to understand, that the only way you can come to God, is not through claiming any act done, is via God’s mercy. Solution is not circumcision, it is simply God’s mercy.

However, these people do not want to make it that simple for Gentiles. You should be like me in every way before you can claim to be a Christian! Is that something you do? Are you the type of a person who likes certain ways of worship, and you want everybody to worship like that? Maybe you like people standing, and you conclude that people are not worshiping when they are not standing. When you have the worship leader, people must stand until legs are in trouble, not because Bible says so, but because that is what you like. You like everybody to like what you like even if not in Bible. If they do not like it, you force them, especially just because you are the one with the microphone. That assumption that your idea has to be everybody’s idea, is something you need to question. Ask yourself, isn’t lack of being considerate of others, or being too full of yourself which what we are calling pride.

Paul is teaching us, that the motivation behind all these that had caused the Galatians doctrinal problems is simply people wanting to make a show, pride. People will feel proud that I brought these people I taught them to be like the Jews and they want to be sure of that. so, even as we are leaders in our churches, it is okay to have your preference, it is okay to like certain things, but do not demand them of others. Of course, what we are talking about are things that are not sinful. It is not sinful to be circumcised, but it is not a way of salvation! This is what Paul wants people to understand. It does not get you saved. You cannot go preaching it to others. Get circumcised yourself if you want, but do not ask it of others. If you come from a tribe that normally circumcises, go ahead! Continue with it. There is nothing wrong with circumcision, but if it does not add much. Do not ask others to copy you and be circumcised. That is really what we are talking about. Thus, you need to ask yourselves whether that pride has forced you to force even your own children, even your own clan, into things should be done away with. They may be done the way you like them, even if there is nothing biblical, it is just your preference. Why can’t you allow others to also keep their preference? And when you see the majority doing things in a certain way, do not go contradicting them just because you are the one in charge. It will not be right.

 

Day 4

Galatians 6verse 13

Not even those who are circumcised keep the law.

It is true you have been circumcised, and that is part of the law, but you are not fully keeping all the law! So, here you are, you desire to have people circumcised just so that you can say “I made it” you know very well it will not be of help to them or you or to God.

Then Galatians 6: 14 is saying,

¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world

In other words, the only thing people should know you for it is what Christ has accomplished, not what you yourself have accomplished, but what Christ has accomplished. In other words, if you are asked about pride, keep talking about what the cross did, and how painful it was for Christ, and how it has rescued us from death and destruction. That is what we will be proud and talking about.

In other words, if you must talk about something, talk about what Christ has accomplished, not what you yourself has accomplished. God forbade that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. That should be the reason for our boasting or for our talking loudly, getting people to know what they must know.

The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. In other words, because of the great sacrifice of Christ on the cross, it then means, I have no accomplishment to be proud about! All other things no longer are things to be proud about. I would not talk about them. Like saying, oh I have a degree .What is a degree compared to what Christ suffered? What is a degree compared to what Christ has given me by his death on the cross? Oh! I have a beautiful wife .what is that compared with Christ? So the only thing to be proud about is the exceedingly good offer of freedom that Christ bought for us by dying on the cross. That way, the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

In other words, the things of the world are no longer things I am proud about or crave. It does not mean I do not need them, that I do not use them, but that is not what I talk about. It does not give me a kick, just to say I own this, I own the other because the world has been crucified to me. In other words, I no longer talk about it! That is the meaning of being crucified to the world.

 

Day 5

Galatians 6 verse 15

¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation

Galatians 6 verse 15

.

What really matters is not whether you are circumcised or not circumcised. What really matters is, are you transformed? Are you renewed? Are you a new creation in Christ? So, Paul is very clear, he is not asking the Jews to stop their circumcision traditions, continue with it! But it will be wrong to tell the Gentiles, you know, in order to become a Christian, in order to go to heaven, start getting circumcised. This is because to God, it adds no value. Paul is saying, that in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. It is of no benefit at all.

What is it that your church is emphasizing which does not bring anybody nearer Christ in any way? But maybe you as an individual enjoy it. Then play it down! Do not require other people to do it. What you deal with as a church is what Christ has done, not what I as pastor like or dislike, because others may not like or dislike the same things with you.

Paul ends the book of Galatians by talking about blessings. Verse 16 says,

¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[b] the Israel of God.

 

If you choose this way of accessing to God only through the blood of Jesus, not by the things you do, then you should expect His blessings. Anything you do, you do it because of the love Christ rather than to buy salvation from Christ. As many as walk according to this rule, that rule of grace, can expect blessings. If you choose the rule of grace, then Paul is praying that you enjoy peace, that you enjoy mercy, whether you are a Gentile or a Jew.

See it again¸

as many as they walk according to this rule, Peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God

 

He still remembers his people, the Jews, because he is a Jew, but he is saying really, mercy and peace will be upon those who choose the way of grace which is the Gospel that Christ brought us and died on the cross for. As many as walk according to this rule are promised mercy and grace. In other words, not everybody who attends church, will get blessings. Not everybody in Galatian church. You may be part of the church for many years, but are you walking by faith or by sight? Are you keeping to this rule? This is because he is saying, as many as they walk according to this rule, they are the ones that are going to get God’s Peace and God’s mercy. It will be important to ask yourself whether that is something you have, or being able to attain or not attain on your own?

So, as many means not everybody. As many, also means there is no limit, whoever chooses to come can come under this new rule of grace. The choice belongs to you. But it will not necessarily give you any particular vantage whether you do this or do the other.

It is the same thing as difference in worship. Churches worship differently. Some only sing hymns, others in choruses, some dance, some just sit like statues, but you see God is saying his interest clearly is whether your heart is tuned right and is honouring to God. So, if you do not walk like that, how do you expect to get God’s blessings at all?

I think that is something that you now need to deal with and ask, are you yourself living by the rule of grace?

 

Day 6

Galatians 6

¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[b^] the Israel of God

 

Therefore, what have we said? What is this rule? It is the rule that the whole of the book of Galatians has mentioned throughout. Number one, that is the rule of grace that you get to heaven not because of the things you do, but simply by the accomplished work of Christ on the cross. What was that rule? A rule that says that you need to be careful about going back to your ancestral worship as it is not allowed. He wants your allegiance in Christ not on your ancestors.

Why are we talking about this rule? We are talking about a rule where you enjoy God’s forgiveness, and you do not refuse God’s forgiveness just because you feel you have not done this or the other, but you need to be aware that God intends to do good to you but stick to him and honour him in every way.

So, on that basis of enjoying God’s blessings and God’s mercy, he finally says, from now on. He is fore warning. from now on,

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus

 

Paul was being attacked, was going through persecution all because of not insisting that the Jewish traditions are the standard for Gentiles. And he says no, Christ is the standard. So, he will be attacked in all kinds of ways by the Jews. Actually, the Jews are the ones who finally took him to Rome by claiming he was guilty of things he had not done.

Therefore, it is important to understand then, that Christ wants you to say this rule I will follow it because the rule means I will only claim heaven because of what Christ accomplished on the cross. I will not rely on my own strength. I will not rely on my pedigree. I will not rely on my ministry. There is absolutely nothing to rely on other than the fact that Christ has been good to us and was willing to die on the cross for us

 

 

Day 7

Galatians 6

¹⁷ From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus

 

From now on,

Paul is saying, let no one trouble me, stop persecuting me! You now know clearly that I do not intend to change, it does not matter how much persecution you undertake. So, stop it. But I will stick with the Gospel, once delivered by the apostles, that is the Gospel to stick with. New teachings, new prophesies, new whatever, no, no, no not for me! I will stick with the Gospel.

As people are progressing with knowledge, you get where you feel like ei! How can I continue with Christianity the way it has always been? No, no! There was this prophesy, there was this man of God, there was this and the other, that has shown us that there are new ways of doing things, Paul, is saying, no, no, no! I am sticking with the rule that I have been preaching on. Therefore, give up trying to see that you can change me this is because you can’t change it.

from now on, let no one trouble me, why? I forebear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. My guess is that it might mean he has already suffered, he has already stood the test over time, so they should know there is nothing else remaining. He is ready to die for the Gospel of salvation. Therefore, there is no need of continuing to trouble him. He seems to be saying, the suffering already has given the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. From now, let no one trouble me, for I bear I forebear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Do you bear any marks of the Lord Jesus? Have you suffered for making a stand for Christ? It has  become a badge of honour! Suffering for Christ makes you a badge of honour. Like Paul is saying, ah! He has the marks of the Gospel. I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ. He had suffered physically.

Or unlike Paul are you trying to run away from any suffering by compromising on your biblical stand even when you know what God has said. But you know the majority are saying it is not necessary to suffer? But please stick with the rule at whatever cost. May the Lord help you to make a stand.

verse 18 is saying,

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers, and sisters. Amen

 

What can Paul wish us his readers? The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. what is this grace? underserved favour, something you have not earned, that is what Paul is wishing us. He wishes that we have this underserved favour from the Lord Jesus Christ. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. So, it is grace that he is wishing us. We can also wish others and wish ourselves; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

 

What is to be in your spirit? In other words is not just an external blessing, and external feeling, an emotion, no! It means to go right into the spirit where you accept the things of God in your spirit, because then you have confidence and peace, as you enjoy his mercy all the days of your life.

 

 

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