A New Creation
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See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
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 and sisters. Amen.
Paul's Own Hand (6:11)
Paul's Own Hand (6:11)
1. Paul would often use a scribe to write down his words for him.
2. Paul writes a section of each of his letters to show authenticity.
Concern Over What Others Think (6:12-13)
Concern Over What Others Think (6:12-13)
1. The Judiazers are only concerned about how things look. They are trying to make a good impression to others. This causes them to push aside concerns for spiritual things.
2. We can get caught in this lie at times can't we? Where are so worried about how somethings looks rather then doing what is right, that we make our decision based on others rather then God.
3. Notice what is motivating the false teachers:
a. Pride - They do it for show.
b. Fear - They do it to avoid persecution.
c. Contempt for Law - They do not care to practice what they preach.
d. Boasting - They do it to boast their conquests.
When we become driven by pride, fear, contempt and a need to boast, we lose focus on Jesus, we begin to serve the world instead of Jesus.
Focus on the Cross, Be Crucified to the World. (6:14)
Focus on the Cross, Be Crucified to the World. (6:14)
1. Paul goes on to say "may I never boast except in the cross of Christ". This is an interesting statement that I think we often overlook.
2. The cross was not a culturally friendly thing to place your focus on. The Greeks found the cross disgusting. The cross represented shame and death. The Jews considered the cross a curse. Yet Paul views the cross as a symbol of life, of change,of sacrifice and most of all a symbol of love.
3. Crucified to the world: means to be dead to worldly concerns, isolated from worldly pursuits, indifferent to worldly temptations. To Paul the cross becomes the pivotal point of crisis where the believer and the world part company.
4. The world seeking life, is actually on a course toward death. The Christian, accepting death, springs upward to eternal life.
What Really Matters is a Life Found in Christ (6:15-16)
What Really Matters is a Life Found in Christ (6:15-16)
1. Circumcision or no circumcision, it really doesn't matter. It's not actually the point. What actually matters is that you have been made new through Christ.
2. What actually matters is that you are a new creation, you have been born again, reconciled to God through Jesus.
3. When Christ comes into the believer, and the believer comes into Christ, that person in Christ becomes a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17).
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
4. Paul says peace and mercy to all who follow this rule - The cross has replaced circumcision as the ground of our confidence before God. Those who, by means of the cross, have changed from the old life to the new are the ones Paul is blessing.
5. The True Israel of God - the true descendants of Abraham, are those who have trusted Jesus for their salvation. Those physically born of Abraham are not necessarily his spiritual heirs (Rom. 9:6-8).
It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.
6. Those who have placed their faith in Christ are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise (Gal. 3:27-29).
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Bear the Marks of Jesus (6:17)
Bear the Marks of Jesus (6:17)
1. Paul literally has marks on his body because of persecution. It is these marks that prove Paul is a slave for Jesus, if anyone has a problem with what Paul is doing for His master they should take it up with God. Everything Paul has taught to the Galatians has been exactly what his Lord has told him to say!
2. You might have to suffer for Jesus, be willing to hold true to what you believe and be willing to take the persecution. Bear the mark of Christ - Suffering.
Big Idea: Don't get caught up in the semantics. Jesus died on the cross for you, and has given you the opportunity to become a new creation. So be transformed into his image and live your life with the cross as your center. It's the only true way to change.