Galatians 6:1-10

Galatians 6:1-10

We are tempted to look at Galatians 6 as a bit of practical advice Paul throws in as he concludes this little book. While he is offering practical advice for daily living, it is more than that. The behavior described is the logical application of the first five chapters of Galatians. We might sum up all this practical advice with the words of Paul in verse two, “the law of Christ.” While the Judaizers claimed that by keeping the law of Moses a person earned their salvation. In truth we know we have been saved not by earning, but we are living under a law that directs us toward holy living. We see in these 10 verses three practical expressions of this different law.

First, this law of Christ is proactive. While the law of Moses was restrictive, consisting mostly of do not do this or that. The law of Christ is proactive. We see repeatedly that as disciples of Christ we are to go out of our way to aid others. Second, we also see in the law of Christ that we are individually responsible. Which seems to conflict with the aforementioned principle. We are told to think clearly about ourselves, to examine the work we do, and to carry our own burden. Paul is not being inconsistent; rather, he is teaching healthy and appropriate roles in life. We must understand what is our responsibility and what is not and not take responsibility for what is not our stuff, even while helping others with their burdens. The third principle is that our faith, the law of Christ, works from the inside out, not the outside in. The desire to live holy, to be faithful, to do what the Lord wants begins from the inside and works its way to every aspect of our lives. It is less of a problem when our outward actions do not yet live up to the desires for holiness than when our outward actions are merely a façade to cover up internal corruption.

In verse 10 Paul gives us insight that we have often ignored in the church. In recent times the church has often expended much of its time, effort, and resources on good social causes that are so broad and general that they are not effective. Paul indicates the primary recipient of the churches’ “benevolence” ought to be the community of faith. All the efforts of the church to “virtue signal” by being engaged in vague and various causes don’t advance the gospel, nor do they aid the believers, nor do they solve the addressed problem. Stupidity that is well-intentioned is still stupid and is not to be confused with Christian graciousness.

“Lord, help me to live out the Law of Christ. AMEN”