Now It's Clear!

Okay, I get it now. It all is making sense. Paul saves the best for last. Read Galatians 6:11-18. The big question was why? Ever have someone do something and you ask why? Was it something that doesn't make sense? The Jewish Galatians had it made. Their Messiah had come. Their world was fulfilled. The prophesy of the coming King was accomplished. Why go back to the law? Why pull others out with them? Why cause division? Paul tells us why right here. In this letter, we see Paul being very pointed to these Galatians. They persecuted Paul. Why? To undermine his influence in the churches. They challenge his authority and call. They charge that living in grace would cause "lawless living". Paul defends himself and his message in this letter. He is an apostle of Jesus Christ (Chapters 1-2), he defends salvation by grace (Chapters3-4), he defends the new freedom from the law and legalism as well as freedom from sin (Chapters5-6). He's pretty frank with his words describing these Jews. He says they are disturbers, perverters, hinderers, false brothers, people pleasers, manipulators. Come on Paul, tell us what you really think! Not sure that he had many friends here in Galatia. Let's get back to chapter 6. The question remains....why? The first reason is found in verse 12. "Those who are trying to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised". Why? Verse 13, "The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ". He points to their own hypocrisy in verse 13, "they don't obey the law themselves". The world and , unfortunately, wayward believers are going to try to pull you off track of your freedom in Christ and your call. Why? They are people pleasers. What really counts to Paul and should count to us? It's found in verse 15, "......a new creation". 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone, the new has come!". The only price "the new" has is the price you pay from the world and worldly believers. Are you willing to pay the price to follow Christ? Paul made that choice. He said in verse 14 that "the world has been crucified to me and I to the world." Crucified means death. All gone. Bye bye. Live this new life of yours through and for Christ. It's an adventure for sure. In closing I quote our brother Paul. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers."

Amen.