Sermon on Galatians 6:11-18

Intro

Good evening, thank you for joining with me today. It is my pleasure to bring you the Word and learn together what God has for us.

Let us pray together as we get started and enjoin the Spirit to meet with us tonight and make the scriptures clear to us.

Prayer (invocation)

Attention Grabber

Story about son, new life

Just recently I became a father, and my little boy is the cutest ever. He’s 3 months old now, and does so many hilarious things. He’s cute when he’s happy, he’s cute when he’s angry, he’s even cute while he’s passing gas. Everything he does is precious and it has got me thinking about new life. Our passage today involves a call to new creation life in Christ. What is New Creation life? Where does the life come from? What role does death play in this life? These are important questions. So let’s jump into our passage for the evening.

Exegesis

Galatians 6:11 - Apostolic authority, closing gravity

Galatians 6:11 “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.”

As Paul closes out the letter he wants to make a final statement proving the apostolic authority with which he writes and perhaps even drawing attention to these closing thoughts by writing them in large letters. This clues us in to the highly probably reality that Paul employed the use of an amanuensis (or scribe) to write his epistles. At this point however, he takes over the writing and proves his authorship by letting his readers see it written in his own handwriting. Paul cues us in to the closing of the letter and, reminds us of his apostolic authority, and hits us with a few final thoughts, let’s read them with the appropriate gravity.

Galatians 6:12 - Agitators fear the suffering of the cross

Galatians 6:12 “It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.”

All throughout the letter Paul has been doing battle with a group of people he calls “agitators” who are causing disruption in the Galatian church by undermining the freedom of the Gospel and teaching that the congregation needs to adopt the Jewish law, in particular acts like circumcision, in order to truly be saved. This group, often called the Judaizers by scholars, because of their emphasis on imposing the laws of Judah, has been undermining Paul’s authority and causing confusion in Galatia. The beginning of chapter 3 helps us understand the conflict.

Galatians 3:1–3 “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

As he combats the Judaizers, Paul is adamant that the salvation work of God is spiritual and received by faith, not found in the law or achieved by efforts of the flesh. What’s interesting however, is the contrast Paul draws between the spectacle of the cross and the concealment of circumcision. Notice in v. 12 of chapter 6 from our passage that Paul finally reveals the real reason for the insistence of the Judaizers on circumcision. All their arguments about law-keeping and how Christian freedom will result in licentiousness, mask an underlying fear. Let’s read v. 12 again.

Galatians 6:12 “It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.”

Right there Paul makes it plain that the real issue with these agitators is fear, their fear of being associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. They are trying to distance themselves from the suffering of Christ, yet as Paul will reveal in just a moment, it is the suffering of Christ, his crucifixion, that is absolutely central to the life of the Christian. Think back to the passage we just read from chapter 3, Paul is amazed at the Galatians “bewitchment” despite having seen Christ crucified before their very eyes. To Paul, the cross of Christ is absolutely central, and not peripheral to being a Christ follower. Let’s keep reading in v. 13.

Galatians 6:13-15 - Agitators fear the changes of the cross

Galatians 6:13 “For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.”

Here again Paul gets at the heart of the agitators preaching. They don’t preach circumcision because they are utterly zealous for the law. In fact, he says, they don’t even keep the law. They want to see the Galatians circumcised because they want to “boast in your flesh”. What’s Paul’s answer to this? Let’s look at v. 14 and 15.

Galatians 6:14–15 “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.”

So what do we see here? We see Paul explaining that the true motivation of the Judaizers is fear; an unwillingness to detach from worldly comforts, embrace the cross of Christ and live as a new creation. Rather, they want to use the old metrics of visible adherence to the law to gain them status (or a means of boasting), they want to not jeopardize that status by becoming aligned with the cross and its persecutions. In short, they fear the radical changes and challenges of the cross and prefer to stick to the law-keeping that they know despite it’s inability to do anything for them. We know it does not do anything for them because Paul has already said that they don’t keep the law, and right here he just said that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. So even if they could somehow keep the law they would still be lacking.

What is the answer of the Gospel that Paul gives, it’s right there in v. 15. it’s a new creation that is only made possible by the cross by which the world is crucified to us and we are crucified to the world, that’s v. 14. It’s only by the very thing the agitators are trying to avoid that that new life of salvation is found.

Galatians 6:16 - Salvation is to all (Jew or Gentile) who are new creations

Then that takes us to v. 16. Galatians 6:16 “And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” Right here Paul affirms what he just said previously about circumcision and uncircumcision counting for nothing. He begins with “for all those who walk by this rule” referring to that of new creation, and finishes by stating that the blessings of salvation will be on them, peace and mercy. This certainly includes Gentiles, and those who are “walking by the rule” without submitting to the law of Moses, in short the uncircumcised. But then he goes on to say that these blessings will also be upon the “Israel of God” which refers to those Jews (no doubt circumcised) who also follow this rule and receive the blessings of salvation. Thus both circumcised and uncircumcised can be in the same category of the blessed because of the new creation. Thus, Paul is showing the unity of faith found between Gentiles and Jews. Any who “walk by the rule” receive the blessings, including Jews who believe (the true Israel of God). Thus, circumcision and uncircumcision matter not, only those who walk by the rule of the new creation. That phrase, Israel of God indicates that Paul is referring to ethnic Jews, but they are limited to those who are truly “of God” because they have walked by the rule of the new creation and not by the efforts of the flesh.

Finally we get to vv. 17-18, let’s read them together.

Galatians 6:17-18 - Paul proves devotion, calls misguided to truth.

Galatians 6:17–18 “From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.”

In one final attack on those who would rely on markings on their flesh in order to prove devotion (like circumcision), Paul points out the many scars he’s received while suffering for Christ. All the times he’s been beaten, whipped, and imprisoned have left their story on his flesh and each one he says is a mark of Jesus. Far from being un-devoted to the cause because he doesn’t preach circumcision, Paul argues that he is fully devoted because he has embraced the suffering of Christ (the thing the Judaizers were too afraid to do) and now bears on his body the marks of that suffering.

Finally he closes with prayer for God’s grace to visit the Galatians. Throughout everything Paul is pastoral and desires the best for his readers. This letter is not to boost his renown or “dunk on” the Judaizers, no it is to call the misguided back to the truth of the Gospel.

Application

And now, let’s take some time to walk through some implications from these verses. What does this passage reveal to us regarding???

Implication 1 - Fear kept many from the truth of the Gospel

Fear of persecution and fear of turning away from the systems they preferred kept the agitators ignorant of the power and truth of the Gospel. Fear is the weapon of the enemy, used to keep us from the good things God has for us. So one question we should ask ourselves is what fears are holding us back? Where have we believed the voices of lies instead of the voice of truth and chosen the world’s way over God’s way?

Secondly, however, notice how Paul describes his own fearless state. In v. 14 he says that in that cross of Christ, in which he boasts, the world was crucified to him and he to the world. The implications of this are important. Being crucified to the world means that it no longer has any sway over you. A dead person no longer gives any weight to the cares of the world. Thus, the essence of fearlessness comes directly from the cross and no longer being courted by the cares of the world. Consider the parable of the four soils that Jesus told. As you may know three soils received the Gospel poorly, and one received it well. One of the ways it was poorly received was by the thorny soil, because the thorns (representing the cares of the world) choked out the growth of the Gospel. Listen to how things are summed up in Hebrews 2:14–15 “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

It is because of the cross of Jesus that we can be freed from our fear and live in the freedom of the Gospel. So, as you contemplate fear in your own life, do not hear this as a charge to be braver and bolder. No, if you sense that fear is holding you back from the freedom and glory of the Gospel then consider how the cross of Christ has crucified the world to you and it’s priorities no longer matter. Work at reminding yourself of that reality and watch the fears melt away. The power is in the cross of Christ, nothing else.

Implication 2 - The Law is a Guardian

In v. 13 Paul completely unmasks the agitators for the frauds that they are by revealing that even as they try to impose law-keeping on others, they themselves are incapable of fulfilling its requirements. It is important for us to remember the purpose of the law. Earlier in this letter Paul has outlined that the law was not given as a means of salvation, but as a guardian until the “offspring” that is Jesus, the true means of salvation were to come. Let me read it for you in chapter 3 verse 19. Galatians 3:19 “Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made,… and then a few verses later Galatians 3:23–24 “Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.”

The purpose of the law is to point us to Christ and justification by faith. Those who misunderstand its purpose will always be confounded by it. It is important for you, Christian, to see the law for what it is. Our inability to keep the law is not something shameful that should be hidden. The agitators sought approval through the law and as they sensed their own failure tried to force law-keeping upon others in order to boast in the works of others. But we must not be like them. Attempts at law-keeping do not please God or merit his favor. We must not misunderstand the purpose of the law, and thereby miss the glory of the Son and the Gospel of faith. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus explains that he came to fulfill the law, and through his life and sacrifice we see that he has achieved all righteousness and paid all its penalties.

Implication 3 - The Gospel is for all people

We should note that Paul is clear in v. 16 that “all who walk by this rule” receive the blessings of salvation. Then, just to make it absolutely clear, Paul indicates that Israel, the people that the agitators are insisting need to rely on circumcision are also included if they walk by the rule of the new creation, which is faith in Jesus Christ.

The church, is the collection of all people past present and future who believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, regardless of ethnic or prior religious standing. By utilizing a phrase like “the Israel of God”,  Paul indicates that out of ethnic Israel there is a portion that is “of God” and a portion that is not “of God,” and we see here that that distinction is found in those who “walk by the rule” which we see equates to the new creation life.

We can see the same idea clearly outlined in some of Paul’s other writings. Consider Romans 9:6–8 “But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.”

Or consider Romans 10:12–13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” where Paul again makes clear that all are invited to be recipients of Christ’s salvation.

The Gospel is for all people, the church is a beautiful collection of all manner of people, and they are united by Christ.

Ephesians 2:12 “remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

Praise God for his abundant mercy.

Implication 4 - What counts is the new creation

Although he doesn’t go into much detail here, Paul’s use of “new creation” language in v. 15 reveals to us an important theology. Paul explains more in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

To be a new creation in Christ is to have your old self crucified with Jesus on the cross and done away with, and to be granted new life in him through the power of his resurrection. What this means, and what Paul is at pains in so many of his letters to indicate is that to be a new creation is to be free from so many negative influences.

As we previously discussed, to be a new creation here is to have been crucified to the world and free from its worries. But this also means freedom from sin as we see in Romans 6:6 “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” In Colossians we learn that dying with Christ frees us from the elemental spirits of the world, and Romans 7:4 tells us that we have died to the law. Romans 7:4 “Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.”

In so many ways, by dying with Christ and living a new creation life in him, we are freed from the influences of the past. Just a chapter earlier he wrote this, Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” New creation life should be marked by freedom that is subsumed into loving service of God.

Closing

Review implications

Implication 1 - Fear kept many from the truth of the Gospel. Just like the agitators were afraid of the changed life the cross would bring they would rather stick to law-keeping and make others pursue law-keeping. Because they were afraid of the persecutions of Christ and persecutions for Christ, they ran away from the cross. We should not be people who run away from the cross. We should be people who run to the cross. Like Paul says, through the cross of Christ we are crucified to the world and the world to us, so we no longer need to be afraid.

Implication 2 - The Law is a Guardian. One of the biggest mistakes the agitators made was misunderstanding the purpose of the law. They thought that the law was the means by which they could be saved, instead it is a signpost and guardian that keeps them until the true savior comes, and this is Christ. If we understand what the law is truly for then we will hold it it’s proper place. We will understand that what it does is point us to Christ, so we can accept him in faith.

Implication 3 - The Gospel is for all people. Paul is clear in this letter and all his letters that he is the minister to the Gentiles and that God is not done with Israel yet. God has opened up salvation from Israel to the Gentiles, but there is a place for Israel in his plans. By using a phrase like “the Israel of God” Paul shows that the true Israel is identified by faith and not by ethnicity, and the true church is also identified by faith and nothing else.

Implication 4 - What counts is the New Creation. This is the theological idea that I brought up at the beginning and I’ve been wondering about and thinking about. Paul explains that this theology is very critical because it requires death in Christ first followed by new life in him. It mirrors Christ’s death and resurrection. By being crucified with him we can die to our old selves, we die to sin, we die to the law, and we can be free from these things. The beauty of it is that we are offered new life, as a mirror of his resurrection, new lives of freedom. Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Our lives should be marked by freedom, but that freedom is in service to God because he has freed us from all the things that previously held us. Let’s be people who are new creations, freed from fear, who understand the law for what it is and offer the Gospel freely to all people.

Prayer (closing)