A Watchout from Paul

Galatians 6:11-18

I was the third and last child of Lily and Sam, and often I heard these words; “how many times do I have to tell you, this is your final warning.”  Unlike my Mother, this is the apostle Paul’s final warning to the Churches at Galatia.  It is a summary of his letter, and the main point is, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor Uncircumcision, but a new creation.”  Paul is saying that because of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His victory over death and sin, it has set Paul free from the control of the world, and that his identity is not in what schools he has attended, how much he has acquired, who he is married to, but his boast is in the faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ, the victory of the cross.

In the first part of these verses Paul is warning us to watch-out for anyone, preacher, teacher, or street sweeper, who is teaching a gospel that requires you to add any conditions to grace through faith, it is a gift of God and Jesus is the only way to the Father.  In fact the apostle Paul is clear that these Jews are wanting to be part of Christ but do not want to be put out of the temple, they do not want to identity with Christ if it brings suffering.  Paul, Peter and Jesus told us that if we entered into Christ, if our identity was in Jesus Christ, then we would suffer from the religious people and the people of this world.  “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as thought something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice