Well we have finished another book and I hope everyone that has been reading these post has gotten as much out of this book of Scripture as I have. Just to summarize a little I have learned a lot more of what Paul faced, not only in having to overcome what his previous life was, but having to stand up to the very ones that were preaching the Gospel to the Jews. Helps us to see sometimes we may need to stand to ones who seem to have all the knowledge and think they are never wrong. Also that Paul received the Gospel he preached straight from God, not from being taught by others. Paul really had a battle with the the ones who felt certain aspects of the law still had to be observed. We know that the law was fulfilled when Jesus came and died on the cross so that we might be saved by grave and not the law. If we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit an the gifts of the spirit we do not have to worry about the law and we will please God in what we do. We just need to stand strong on our faith and stay in the word of God so we know the truth of what the word tells us. I am open for suggestions of what to cover next.
Category Archives: Galatians
Galatians 6:17-18
Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (To the Galatians written from Rome.)
Paul is finishing this letter to the Galatians by letting them know he bore many stripes, because he would not renounce Jesus Christ as Messiah. He wanted to assure them again, whether they believe him or not, his message brought to them was as an apostle of God. He is saying he does not need their confidence in him to let him know he belongs to Christ. Even Paul’s final benediction implicitly extols the superiority of the gospel of grace over any man-made system of works righteousness. The one word is grace Paul speaks to their spirit man and asks grace. “Amen” means, so be it.
Galatians 6:14-16
Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.6:
As Paul is closing this this writing to the Galatians he lets them know that we should not glory in our religious accomplishments but in Jesus’ atonement and all the spiritual blessings it brings. Paul emphasized that we should only rejoice in the salvation that we received by Jesus when He gave Himself on the cross. He continues to tell us that nothing in the flesh means anything. The main thing that matters is that we are born again, this fleshly body will not be in heaven so we should not be concerned, just like God is not, whether some are circumcised and some are not. Finally in these verses Paul is making a difference in Israel in the flesh and Israel in the Spirit. He tells us that those that walk as a new creature will receive peace an mercy. Please attend church today so you can get the guidance you need to walk as a new creature in Christ and receive all the blessings God has for you.
Galatians 6:11-13
Galatians 6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
Here we see Paul wrote this letter himself to make sure the Galatians knew he, not some forger, was writing it, and to personalize the document, given the importance and severity of its contents. The Judaizers were motivated by religious pride and wanted to impress others with their external piety. They were more concerned about their personal safety than correct doctrine by adhering more to the Mosaic law than to the gospel of Jesus.It appears that even though they have proclaimed Jesus as their Savior, they are not willing to suffer the ridicule from their Jewish brothers. They were not willing to suffer for Christ. They are trying to prove how religious they are by telling that they are circumcised. They do not even keep the law themselves, but want to impose this custom on others to show their religion. They were trying to stay in both camps. Again Paul is reminding the Galatians that circumcision is not necessary because the law was fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 6:9-10
Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Paul has a good message in these verses first is to not give up doing what is good for the glory of God. we have a great reward waiting for us we He comes to take His people home but he wants to find us working for the kingdom we He comes. The only way some people know Jesus is by seeing Him in the actions of His believers. Next he says we are to do good to all men that are in need at the time we see them, if they are in need of food feed them. We are supposed to help all who we come into contact with that has a need. He goes a step further and says if it is a Christian bother or sister we are to give them the opportunity to help them better themselves rather than just give the ma handout.They keep their self-esteem when you give them an opportunity. These verses help show us what it means to love your neighbor.
Galatians 6:6-8
Galatians 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
This first verse is saying if God has shown you something about the Word of God you are to share it with other teachers so they can teach the truth also. This is also saying, that those taught are to help with the day to day needs of the teacher. As this continues we see if we are taught right and teach right then we should not be deceived. We have all heard you can not plant a pea and get corn. These two verses are saying that you cannot fool God that the life you lead is what is going to determine what kind of person you are. It will also lead to what you gain or lose in life. It plainly says if you want to live a worldly life then sin will play a big part in how you live and will lead to destruction. If we want to follow the teachings in God’s Word and live by them then we will be blessed not only on this earth, but in heaven also with life everlasting.
Galatians 6: 3-5
Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
Paul here is telling us not to be conceited. Most of the time when we try to put ourselves above others we make a fool of our self. If we are doing the will of God as we should others will lift us up. He goes on to say that if we do our own work and work hard regard of the outcome we will be proud of what we have accomplished because we know we did our best. Joy comes not from comparing one’s moral strengths with the weaknesses of others, but in realizing that one measures up to God’s standard by God’s help. This is saying that when we are given a job to do by God it is ours to do. You should not try to push off your work on someone else because you are the best for the job God gave you to do.
Galatians 6:1-2
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This is speaking of the brothers and sisters in Christ. It is not impossible for a Christian to make a mistake and sin in the process. It is very important for that person to be restored to the group as soon as possible. If they repent of the sin then we are not to keep on bringing it up or remembering it. The ones who are stronger in their walk should lead the way in forgiving them. The next temptation may come to the one who leading the way to help the one that had fallen. This person also should repent from the sin committed and should not continue to commit this same sin. This next verse follow the same theme. We should be there for those who are struggling and if necessary carry the load for them. This is symbolic the the man who carried the cross for Jesus. The law of Christ, spoken of here is to love your neighbor as yourself. The load can be much lighter if we can help carry that load.
Galatians 5:25-26
Galatians5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Paul winds this chapter up telling us that since the Spirit gave us new life at conversion, we then should stay in step with His leading and promptings throughout life. To walk in the spirit means that all of the gifts of the Spirit will be evident in our life. We should desire to sin no more. Our walk should be such that the world around can look at us and see Jesus in us. Then he winds up telling us to be happy with what we have and not desire what others have. If we need more of something then we need to work ourselves to obtain it. Desiring what others have only causes problems and strife. We should work hard and ask God to help us better ourselves and then be happy with what we have no matter what it is. These two verses let us know that if we would walk in the steps of Jesus we would want for nothing else except what He has for us.
Galatians 5:22-24
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Now we see what the characteristics of those that belong to God. The fruits of the spirit are Godly attitudes that characterize the lives of only those who belong to God by faith in Christ and possess the Spirit of God. The Spirit produces fruit which consists of 9 characteristics or attitudes that are inextricably linked with each and are commanded of believers throughout the New Testament. I will not go through each one but we can see the first one is love. I believe it is first because if we love like Christ loved us all these characteristics will develop in us. As we said earlier, there is no law against all of these good things. We would not even need a police force, if these were active in everyone’s lives. We must crucify our own flesh. We must get in obedience to the Spirit of God. If we truly are Christ’s, then we have turned everything over to Him. A man cannot have two masters, either the flesh will rule, or the Spirit. Please attend church today and see what God can do for you today to help you grow stronger each day.