Series on Galatians

Community Bible Church, August 6, 2006, Galatians 6:14-18

“The Unsurpassed Symbol of Christianity”

One identifying mark of professing believers today is the fish symbol, strategically placed on their vehicles, advertisements, homes, Bible covers etc. But did you know that during the first century the sign of the fish was a secret symbol used by believers to identify one another? The one public, continuous, universal, and unsurpassed symbol of Christianity is the cross.

In every generation the cross of Jesus Christ has been attacked. In every generation the gospel has been questioned. In the Roman world the cross symbolized cruel, agonizing pain, extreme humiliation, and ultimate death. A Roman historian referred to the cross as “the unlucky tree.” Today, the cross has been marginalized. It is difficult for modern people to appreciate how repulsed and horrified the Romans were by the cross. The only comparison today would be to revere the electric chair or wear a hangman’s noose around our necks as a symbol of our religious devotion.

But to the believers in Paul’s day the cross was a cherished symbol of life. For believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, the symbol of the cross is a powerful reminder that salvation is a divine achievement as opposed to human works. That’s why 1 Corinthians 1:23 calls the cross “a stumbling block to the Jews” and “foolishness” to the Gentiles. It’s not the wood and the nails Paul is referring to in Corinthians but the work of redemption accomplished on the cross. The message of the cross is scandalous and senseless because it proclaims the truth of the substitutionary atonement of Christ. Filled with pride mankind would rather substitute human work for divine achievement.

This very issue, works versus faith and law versus grace, is what motivated Paul to write the letter to the Galatians. The legalists refused to accept the finished work of Christ on the cross. They preached a different gospel, one that added works (specifically circumcision) to grace and faith. Paul answered them with a strong emphasis on the cross. Seven times in Galatians the cross or the crucifixion is mentioned (READ Galatians 2:20; 3:1; 5:11, 24). The last three references are part of Paul’s summary statement at the end of the letter (READ Galatians 6:12, 14).

The cross is central to the message of the gospel. Indeed, there is no gospel without the cross. So it shouldn’t surprise you that Paul’s final focus in Galatians is the cross. The cross, as Paul sees it in verses 14-18, is unsurpassed as a symbol of Christianity because salvation is possible only through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. What does the cross of Christ symbolize for you today? When you consider the symbol of the cross, reflect on the exclusivity of the gospel, the effectiveness of the gospel, the expectation of suffering for the gospel and grace, which is the emphasis of the gospel (READ Galatians 6:11-18).

I. The Exclusivity of the Gospel (READ Galatians 6:14a)

No one enjoys having to endure an egotistical braggart. Proverbs 27:2 wisely warns you to “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Jeremiah received this word directly from the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches…” (9:23)

The worst kind of braggart is the one who brags about his religious accomplishments. But that’s exactly what the legalists were doing in Galatia (READ Galatians 6:13). These Jews had been circumcised according to the Law signifying their membership in God’s family. Now they wanted to force this requirement on the Gentile believers so that they too could become true followers of Jesus Christ. The more Gentiles the legalists could persuade to be circumcised the more they bragged.

If anyone could brag about his religious accomplishments it would be Paul. His list of lofty attainments in Judaism is found in Philippians 3:4-6 (READ).

In contrast to the legalists who boasted of circumcision Paul’s exclusive boast is in the cross. John Stott says, “That which the average Roman citizen regarded as an object of shame, disgrace and even disgust was for Paul his pride, boasting and glory.”[1]He was so convinced about this that he issues this strong disclaimer; “…may it never be…” Today we might say “don’t even think about it, that’s ridiculous, inconceivable and virtually impossible.”

It was inconceivable, virtually impossible for Paul to praise anyone but Christ crucified for his personal salvation. Paul was obsessed with one, and only one, boast; “…the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.” What is meant by boasting in the cross is explained by Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (READ).

Today, you boast in the cross because it is the means of your redemption (READ Galatians 3:13). You boast in the cross because it is a mirror that exposes your desperate condition of sin and utter bankruptcy before God. You boast in the cross because it reveals the folly of all human attempts to be righteous before a holy God. Without the cross there is no justification, sanctification or glorification (READ Romans 8:30-32). You boast in the cross because it is your model for Christian behavior (READ Philippians 2:5-8). Is it any wonder that Paul’s boast is exclusively in the cross? (READ 1 Corinthians 2:1-5). Boast in the cross and in the cross alone.

When you reflect on the cross remember that it symbolizes the exclusivity of the gospel. The cross also symbolizes the effectiveness of the gospel.

II. The Effectiveness of the Gospel (Galatians 6:14b-16)

Tozer said, “The cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective.”[2] It was by means of the cross that Paul’s life was radically transformed (READ Galatians 6:14b). He does not say “I crucified the world,” but “the world has been crucified to me.” In other words, he bears testimony to the fact that the Holy Spirit, by means of the pure doctrine of the cross, had wrought a mighty work in his soul.

The “world” is Satan’s spiritual system, keeping mankind bound in sin. I John 5:19 says that “…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one…” All those who have not come to the cross and trusted the Crucified Christ are held captive by the world. In Ephesians 2 Paul reminds the believers of their pre-conversion condition (READ vs. 1-3). But the believer is set free from the world; the believer and the world are dead to each other. The crucifixion of Christ struck a mortal blow to sin’s power. The world has no more power over Paul because it is dead as far as he is concerned and Paul is also dead as far as the world is concerned. Paul was crucified to the world when he was crucified with Christ (READ Galatians 2:20). Paul explains this further in Romans 6:6-7 (READ).

Through the work of Christ on the cross you have been redeemed. The price has been paid and you have been set free from bondage to Satan’s world system. Now you have the power of Christ living in you to say “no” to “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life” (1 John 2:16). You boast in the cross because it means the beginning of the end of your sin. The effectiveness of the gospel is manifested in the power of the cross to redeem from the bondage of sin those who place their trust in Christ.

The effectiveness of the gospel is also manifested in the power of the crucified Christ to regenerate those who place their trust in Him (READ vs. 15). Paul stated this previously in Galatians 5:6 (READ).Being circumcised or not being circumcised has no bearing on salvation. What really matters in salvation is becoming a new creation in Christ. In Ephesians 2 Paul clarifies how Christ crucified brings both the circumcised and the uncircumcised together (READ 2:11-16).

It is the power of the cross that makes it possible for you to become God’s new creation. Since according to Romans 7:18 there is “nothing good” in the flesh God doesn’t re-create, remodel or overhaul the old man. Instead He makes a completely “new man” through the crucified Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit (READ 2 Corinthians 5:17). Whether you are circumcised or not doesn’t matter when it comes to salvation. Whether you are religious or non-religious; whether you are moral or immoral doesn’t matter when it comes to salvation. What matters is that you have been regenerated; what matters is that you have been made a “new creature” in Christ.

The effectiveness of the gospel is manifested in the power of the cross to redeem and regenerate those who place their trust in the crucified Christ. In Christ you become the recipients of the peace and mercy of God. Being in Christ means you have a secure relationship with God (READ vs. 16).

The rule or standard Paul is referring to is his statement in verse 15. To live by this rule is to accept the gospel of divine accomplishment instead of human works. To live by this rule is to walk by faith in the power of the Spirit instead of by sight in the power of the flesh. This is a reminder of Paul’s earlier instruction in Galatians 5:16-17 (READ).

Those who live by this rule are believers. Believers experience a secure relationship with God and are the recipients of His peace and mercy. Peace with God means there is no enmity, no strife, between you and God (READ Romans 5:1). Mercy means complete forgiveness of all your sins, past, present and future. Mercy sets aside the judgment of God against your sin. Mercy means not getting what you deserve (READ Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:4; Titus 3:5-6). Peace with God and mercy from God, the forgiveness of sins, equals salvation.

Galatians 6:16 seems clear and straightforward until you read the last six words, “…and upon the Israel of God.” Some have taken this to mean that Paul is suggesting that the church has taken the place of the Jewish nation and has become “the true, spiritual Israel.” The context does not support this position nor does the rest of Scripture. The bible is clear that God will ultimately fulfill every promise made to His chosen people, Israel.

In Galatians 6:16 Paul is making a clear distinction between the circumcised and the uncircumcised; between the Jew and the Gentile. The “Israel of God” is referring to Jewish believers, those who are both physical descendents of Abraham and spiritual descendents. These believers have not obtained salvation because they were born Jews: they are saved, like Abraham was, by faith. Paul makes this important distinction clear in Romans 9:6-8 (READ). In the context of verse 16 Paul is telling the legalists who trusted in circumcision for salvation that all those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who place their trust in the crucified Christ, will be recipients of a secure relationship with God.

The effectiveness of the gospel is manifested in redemption, regeneration and a secure relationship with God. When you reflect on the cross reflect on its powerful effectiveness to accomplish your salvation.

The cross symbolizes the exclusivity of the gospel, the effectiveness of the gospel and third, the expectation of suffering for the gospel (READ Galatians 6:17).

III. The Expectation of Suffering for the Gospel (Galatians 6:17)

Paul began this letter with an uncompromising statement of his apostolic authority (READ Galatians 1:1). Once again in verse 17 he stamps this letter with God-given authority. This is clearly a rebuke to the legalists who had attempted to undermine Paul’s ministry and turn the people away from the truth of the gospel he faithfully preached. Paul has already exposed the legalists motive in Galatians 6:13 (READ).

Now, Paul issues this final warning which is explained in his revealing statement, “I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.” The “brand-marks” are a translation of the Greek term “stigmata” from which we get our word “stigma.” It was common in Paul’s day for slaves to be marked or branded with the name of their owner. Idol worshippers would indicate their loyalty by marking their bodies with the name of their god.

For Paul to preach the gospel of grace alone through faith alone in the crucified Christ alone was costly. Paul had suffered for the preaching of the gospel of grace and he had the scars to prove it. He told the Corinthians that “…the sufferings of Christ” were his “in abundance…” (2 Corinthians 1:5) In 2 Corinthians 4 Paul reveals his wiliness to die for the sake of the gospel (READ vs. 7-12). Later in chapter 11 Paul takes a page out of his journal which describes his experience of suffering (READ 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). The scars on Paul’s body were more impressive than the mark of circumcision the legalists were requiring.

The scarred apostle passed on the expectation of suffering for the gospel of Christ to Timothy, his son in the faith. What he told Timothy is very relevant for each of us today (READ 2 Timothy 2:1-4, 8-13).

The letter of Galatians ends as it began with a familiar benediction of grace (READ Galatians 1:3 & 6:18).

IV. The Emphasis of the Gospel (Galatians 6:18)

Paul’s concluding note of grace is particularly meaningful in the book of Galatians. In Galatians 1:6 Paul says that God called the believers “…by the grace of Christ…” In Galatians 1:15 Paul says that God “…called me through His grace…” Galatians 2:9 reports that Peter and John “recognized the grace” God had given Paul in preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. In Galatians 2:21 Paul makes grace the emphasis of the gospel when he says, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.” In Galatians 5:4 Paul tags those who seek to be justified by works as “fallen from grace.”

Throughout the entire book of Galatians the emphasis has been on the marvel of God’s grace for salvation as contrasted with human works. It is not the Law of Moses that secures your salvation but “…the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” alone. A more fitting benediction could not have been given at the close of a letter emphasizing grace over law and the Holy Spirit over the flesh. It is really a prayer of blessing on all those who trust the gospel of grace. It is a prayer of blessing on those who are justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. May we all reflect on the cross alone and acknowledge the grace of Christ alone so powerfully depicted in this symbol.

While preparing for a communion service Isaac Watts was deeply moved and wrote a very personal expression of gratitude for the amazing love and grace revealed in the cross of Christ. Noted theologian Matthew Arnold called what Watts had written “the greatest hymn in the English language.” Originally titled “Crucifixion to the World by the Cross of Christ” we know it today as “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.” Nowhere is the symbol of the cross more eloquently depicted than in the words of this great hymn which are based on the closing verses of Galatians 6. (Sing the hymn together)

Philip Ryken said, “Every Christian who has died with Christ must live for his cross.” Will you say with Isaac Watts, “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”

The Bottom Line: “Every Christian who has died with Christ must live for his cross.” Philip Ryken

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[1] John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986), p. 349.

[2] Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1992). Entry 2106.