Dwell in the Word: Galatians 6:1-18

Think on these questions as you dwell in Galatians 6:1-18:

1. How does Paul's emphasis on restoring those in transgression with a spirit of gentleness contrast with his firm stance against false teaching? What can we learn from this approach in handling issues within the Christian community?

2. In what ways does the concept of sowing and reaping, as highlighted in Galatians 6, resonate with the Christian journey of holy living and persistence in doing good works? How does this principle encourage believers in their faith?

3. Why does Paul emphasize boasting in the cross of Christ rather than in works or rituals like circumcision? How does this notion of a "new creation" redefine one's identity and significance in the context of salvation and Christian living?

Transcript:

As we come here to the close of Galatians 6, we continue to see Paul's tone shifting a little bit again, don't we? He is very concerned with their Holy living. And this seems interesting because Paul's tone has been harsh, yet he's telling people to help people with their transgressions with a spirit of gentleness. Paul said anything but a spirit of gentleness earlier on, but notice what the distinction is. These are transgressions. He wants them to be brought along. He wants them to be restored. What he's been concerned about in the letter is false teaching. That's why he is so upset. And we see this, he is upset in other books about sin and about transgressions of people. When it comes to doctrine, he is very, very strong here. We don't want to teach something false about Christ. When it comes to sin, yes, be strong on it, but restore them with a spirit of gentleness. Notice what Paul has to say here. People who are going to do this, they're to keep watch on themselves because they could be tempted as well. Notice his heart here. He wants his people to be restored, but he's saying, don't get caught up in this yourself.

But yet what does he want? He wants people to bear one another's burdens. They might fulfill the love of Christ, that they might love God and their neighbor. He wants them to be able to care for one another. This is a vital part of the Christian walk, right? To bear each other's burdens, to have people coming alongside you, that you might not be doing this Christian life, this Christian walk on your own. And we see as we continue through that Paul is concerned about their holy living. He wants them to bear good fruit. Remember, he was just talking about fruit spirit in chapter five, and the chapter breaks aren't there. This is all one thought. So he wants them to bear this fruit and he wants them to reap it. He doesn't want them to do these works of flesh and reap corruption, but he wants them to sow to the spirit because then they will sow to the Spirit and sow and reap eternal life. Then what is this encouragement here? This is not grow weary of doing good for in due season, we will reap. It might not seem like it's going to happen.

It might take a while, but in due season, we will reap. If we don't give up. Keep at it, Paul says. Notice the encouragement that he has here, as harsh as he has been against the judisers here and these teaching falsely that you had to be circumcised, notice how encouraging he is. Don't give up in holy living. Don't give up in sowing to the Spirit. We see something interesting here. As we close up in verse 11, Notice, see with what large letters I'm writing with my own hand. This is why we're pretty sure Paul had a vision issue. We also get an idea of how upset he is here because he's writing this letter himself. He's not using a scribe. He's not using a secretary. Yeah, he is concerned. He's writing it himself. He's telling you this. But as we close up, we see in verse 14, Far be it from me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, he doesn't want anybody boasting in circumcision. He doesn't want them to be boasting in their own works. He wants them to boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

That is, as he said, that's the way the world has been to him and to the world. Then we see this conclusion, this whole thought that we've here in the Book of Galatians 4. Neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. That is his concern. The old way, the law with circumcision and that sign of the covenant that existed, that has passed away because of the cross of Christ. That is what he's both saying, not in the fact that he's been circumcised, not that he is a keeper of the law, but in this new creation that he is in Christ. May we be like Paul here. May we be concerned, most importantly, with being this new creation in Christ? May we not look to rituals or any type of law keeping as our identity marker, thing that defines who we are or how we receive salvation? But may we daily remember that we're new creations, and what... There are great way for us, when we are tempted to be able to say, Why do I think I need this? Or, Why do I need to behave this way? That's not who I am anymore.

I am a new creation in Christ. I am able to live a new life sowing in the Spirit, and I know that I will reap if I do not give up. May we continue to desire to reap fruits of the Spirit that we might bring glory Christ along.