Galatians 6:10-18

 Galatians 6:10-18

The cross makes all the difference in the world. The Judaizers were deeply hypocritical in that they pretended to be the purest about keeping the Law of Moses. But Paul charges that all they were really after was a tally sheet of people that they had circumcised. This circumcision campaign would put them in good standing with their overlords among the Jews. It would also keep them from having to pay the high price of persecution for being a follower of Christ. It was, all in all, nothing more than a self- or man-centered religious scheme. 

In contrast, Paul points to the cross. The cross sets apart the disciple from the world and the world from the disciple. Being crucified to the world, the disciple dies to all the advantages that the world has to offer. In a general sense the disciple dies to the carnal and sinful pleasures of the world, but there is more to it than that. For the Judizers, there are two advantages to their system: it would offer protection from persecution because of its association with the law, and it gave the arrogant pride of self-satisfaction to works of religion. 

Paul would rather place his confidence in the work of Christ on the Cross rather than the work of men expressed on his privates. Is it worth noting here that Paul is equating “the world” to circumcision, even though circumcision was part of the Old Testament covenant? He does this because there are only two religious systems in the whole universe: the cross, where God is at work, and the world, where man is at work. Keeping the Mosaic Law is no more capable of saving a man than the dark rituals of pagan sacrifices. There is the Cross and there is everything else.

It is wise to take the measure of two things: what is sad and what is done. We can hear the arguments of both the Judaizers and Paul, but what has each done? The “marks” of the Judaizers will be circumcision. This is the very mark of turning away from confidence in Christ because of suffering and attempting to please man. The marks on Paul’s body were clear for all to see: the scars from stonings and whippings received in the presence of the Galatians. If the Judaizers were going to argue against Paul, Paul would allow his scars to argue against them. The word Paul uses, “brand mark” (NASV), is the root of our word stigma. This was a technical word and was a reference to the ancient pagan practice of devotees of Dionysus being branded with a leaf and vine as evidence of their commitment to their god. The disciple needs no brand or tattoo as a mark of his or her faith. The brands they bear are the scars of life and service; these are the marks of a disciple.

“Lord, mark my life as a life of holiness and service. AMEN”

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”