Paul concludes this letter to the church in the region of Galatia with a few key points to summarize the messages throughout the letter. He started out by giving an example of how we are to try and lead people to convert, to persuade someone to change from a life of trespasses, sinning, to a life of faith through following Christ Jesus. But he warns us to be careful that we consider ourself lest we also be tempted. We are not to partake in the sin in the hopes of leading someone else out.
Paul previously wrote to the church in Corinth, For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. (I Corinthians 9:19-23)
Paul never once said he became as a man overtaken in trespasses so that he could win him who was overtaken in trespasses. What he did say was that he tried to relate to people where they were spiritually, so that he might win them for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)
That is our ultimate goal, that we are used by God to lead others to the saving knowledge and faith in Christ Jesus, while we ourselves don't fall into temptation to return to the life God has delivered us from. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:12-13)
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. (Galatians 6:2-5) We each have to answer to God for ourselves; therefore, we are not to compare ourselves to anyone else, but to Christ. This will keep us humble and not boastful. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Romans 12:3, 16)
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:6-8) Paul is reiterating what he also taught the church in Corinth, that they should share their material possessions with those who commit themselves to studying and teaching the Word of God. God gave the children of Israel this command before He established them as a nation. He said, "Take heed to yourself that you do not forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land." (Deuteronomy 12:19)
Of the twelve sons of Israel (aka Jacob), the descendants of his son Levi were consecrated by God to be the priests, the spiritual servants of the people. God instructed all the other tribes, “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. Hereafter the children of Israel shall not come near the tabernacle of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. But the Levites shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a statute forever, throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. For the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer up as a heave offering to the Lord, I have given to the Levites as an inheritance; therefore I have said to them, ‘Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.’” (Numbers 18:21-24)
The point is, God wants those He has called to work for Him to work for Him exclusively, because the responsibility is great and requires most of their time and attention. That's why the apostle Peter said when the church first started in Jerusalem, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4) It's not that they were opposed to serving others, because Jesus told them when they were bickering about who was the greatest, "...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28; Mark 10:43-45)
The point Peter was making was that they as leaders of the church had an awesome responsibility from God, ...for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. (Hebrews 13:17) That's why they give themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. That's why God said, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4) Or as Jesus put it, "...for the laborer is worthy of his wages." (Luke 10:7) Therefore, Paul instructed the church in the region of Galatia and all of us, that we who are taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:9-10) The golden rule, "And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:31) We are to do good to all, not just towards Christians, but especially to those who are Christians. This same principal is practiced within our families. We should help others, but we should always make sure we take care of home first, so that we can have the witness to accompany our works.
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. (Galatians 6:11-13) Paul spent a lot of time addressing the mis-teaching of faith by works. He's making it clear yet again that we are not to believe anyone that teaches we have to do something in addition to believing in Christ Jesus through faith to be saved. Judaizers taught, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
On the contrary, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But if we are compelled that we need to add anything to our faith, then we should also do as the apostles instructed the new Gentile converts, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:28-29)
See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. (Galatians 6:11-13) Paul spent a lot of time addressing the mis-teaching of faith by works. He's making it clear yet again that we are not to believe anyone that teaches we have to do something in addition to believing in Christ Jesus through faith to be saved. Judaizers taught, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
On the contrary, For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But if we are compelled that we need to add anything to our faith, then we should also do as the apostles instructed the new Gentile converts, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things: that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. (Acts 15:28-29)
But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:14-15) That's what God desires to do with each of us, make us a new creation, through faith in His Son, Christ Jesus, and the empowering of His Holy Spirit. Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ... “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’" (John 3:3, 5-7)
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (Galatians 6:16-18) Let's make sure that we too bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. You must be born again! Accept Christ Jesus as your Savior and Lord today, so that His Holy Spirit can begin the process of changing us from the inside out, into a new creation!
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