Glory Only In The Cross ~ Paul's work in Galatia - Galations 6: 11-15
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Galations: The Magna Charta of Chrisitan Liberty
Paul's work in Galatia had been very successful. Great multitudes of people, mostly Gentiles, had accepted Christ. Galations may be the only book written personally by the apostle without the aid of a stenographer (see Gal. 6:11). It is next to 2 Corinthians, the most autobiographical of Paul's letters and the only epistle by Paul addressed to a group of local churches.
The key word is "liberty", used 11 times in the letter. This is more than all his other epistles combined. It has been said that Judaism was the cradle of Christianity and very nearly it's grave. The Galation believers were in grave peril. Because the foundations were being attacked, everything was threatened.
Paul's Divine Calling: BUT GOD - Delivering Believers from Bondage
But God raised up Paul as the Moses of the Christian church to deliver Believers from bondage!
Galations finishes what Paul will begin in 2 Corinthians (concerning his apostleship), and begins what Paul will finish in Romans (concerning justification by faith). Galations is a rough sketch of which Romans is the finished picture.
The heart of Paul the apostle is laid bare, there is deep emotion and strong feeling. This is his fighting epistle -- he has on his war paint. He has no toleration for legalism. Someone has said that Romans comes from the head of Paul while Galations comes from the heart of Paul. Galations takes up controversially what Romans puts systematically.
Grace vs Law: Living as a Winner in Christ
It is the declaration of emancipation from legalism of any type. This was Martin Luther's favorite Epistle, and it was on the masthead of the Reformation. It has been called the Magna Charta of the early church, the manifesto of Christian liberty, the impregnable citadel, and a veritable Gibraltar against any attack on the heart of the Gospel. "Immortal Victory is set upon it's brow"
It is the strongest declaration and defense of the doctrine of justification by faith in or out of Scripture. It is God's polemic on behalf of the most vital truth of the Christian faith against any attack.
Not only is a sinner saved by Grace through Faith, but the saved sinner lives by Grace. Grace is a "Way to Life" and a "Way of Life".
Warren Wiersbe suggests the corrective action: "The believer who lives in the sphere of God's grace is free, rich and running in the lane that leads to reward and fulfillment. The believer who abandons grace for law is a slave, a pauper, and a runner on a detour. In short, he is not a winner. And the only way to become a winner is to purge out the leaven' (5:9), the false doctrine that mixes law and grace, and yield to the Spirit of God"
Understanding Galations 6:11-15: Paul's Personal Message
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!
The False Teacher's Motivation
12 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.
13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Paul's Boast in the Cross of Christ
14 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.
The New Creation in Christ
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
Glory Only In The Cross
"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". (Gal. 6:14) ----- As a representative beleiver, Paul spoke of himself as crucified with Christ (2:20). In that decisive act, "the flesh with it's passions and desires" (5:24) was also crucified, as was the world with all of it's continuing attractions (see 1 John 2:5-17).
To a Christian under the New Covenant, following the Abrahamic sign of circumcision (see Genesis 17:9-14) does not mean anything in terms of spirituality.
What really matters is being a New Creation in Christ!! (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me". Galations 2:20