Friday, November 16, 2012

Galatians 6


But far be it for 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.  Galatians 6:14

Paul end this letter to the Galatians the same way he ends all of his letters, expressing deep concern and love for those who he had personally preached the gospel to, who he had lead to Christ, for the most part. Paul is genuinely concerned about their spiritual state, their relationship with Jesus Christ. We all need that, people who are genuinely concerned about our relationship with Jesus Christ. That is why it is so vital to belong to and serve in a local Church, as I have said before, we need each other.

Paul tells the Galatians to be concerning about each other, saying if you find a brother or sister who is caught in sin, you should attempt to help them, (pray for them, give godly advice) But, Paul also warns to keep watch on yourself so as not to be tempted.  Praying for each other is a  way that we bear each other burdens as Paul says we should seek to do.

Paul warns the Galatians and us as well, that we should not think more so highly of ourselves as compared with others but to compare ourselves with our Lord. The service that we do for God is by His Spirit if it will count for anything (only what is done for Christ will last). 

Paul always gives somber warning as well as exhortation, because Christ always warns us and exhorts us. Paul in verse 7, 8, 9 warns us, first of all, not to be deceived. We must understand and get it in our heart how we are warned about deception. When the first sin was committed Eve said "The serpent deceived me, and I ate," (Genesis 3:13).  Revelation 12:9 says : And the great dragon was thrown, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world...
The whole world is under deception. Until Jesus Christ comes and breaks through that darkness everyone is under the sway of Satan. That's the truth of the matter, that's why Jesus told the Pharisees and those that were opposing Him that they were acting like their father, the devil.  If you are under the sway of the world, if the world has your heart, if you are consumed with the things of the world, you are being lead around by Satan and he has disguised his influence so well, that many will never, never let it go. 

Secondly, Paul tells the Galatians and us as well, that God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. You can not treat God with contempt or ridicule and expect a good outcome, you can not fool God. Listen, hear something to think about, I heard R. C. Sproul on a tape I received from him say that in a sense the sins that we commit today are punishment for the sins we committed yesterday!  I took that to mean that if we persist in sin, God can and will, give us over to that sin in a degree, and we continue in it, He allows it, reaping what you sow. Now the purpose of this, is of course, to drive us back to Him in despair, pleading for Him not to leave us in that condition. I have been there, pleading with God to help me stop a sin I was persisting in, and there seem to be no relieve, it was as if I was was lost again, and God was nowhere to be found, tears and fear was all my heart could murmur, but they were sincere prayers and God came and rescued me. If anyone is in that condition God is a holy God and those who would draw near to Him must have reverence for Him. He will rescue, His love is longsuffering, He will get through to you that this is fight for life, for the blessed hope and opportunity of living with Him, of being able to behold Him in His Glory.

God says the guilty will not go free, He will not be mocked. Christians have been put on a path of holiness, which requires that we fight the good fight of faith against our sin. If you are not, you are mocking God.  Paul continues saying if we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap Eternal Life.  All death will go to hell, death is an enemy of God and man. Life is for heaven - Eternal Life which we can get a small taste of here right now, and when we do, what can the flesh offer, what can the world offer, what can Satan offer that can compare with it! You can only get it when you are in the fight for holiness - sowing to the Spirit (sweet prayer to our Holy Savior, reading Holy Words) and from the Spirit comes sweet communion which is heaven here on earth.

Paul says he can only boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, he says that it was by the cross that the world was crucified to him and he to the world. Christian brothers and sisters we can only gain the power to stop; the world's power to attract us, to grab our hearts, and keep us from Christ, the same way Paul did, and that's through the cross of Christ.  The glory that is the cross, our salvation, our spiritual joy, heaven and being with God for all eternity is from the cross. That is what broke the power of the world over Paul and that is what will break its power over us. Paul is going the way of glory, when the world is dead to us we are dead to it, we also are going the way of glory. Thank God that you all are fighting the fight of holiness. Keep sowing to the Spirit through prayer and Bible reading for in doing those means of grace we come onto holy ground.

Heavenly Father Thank you that you have shown your power not only through the vast universe that you created, but through your ability to reach down and go through deception and touch the hearts of sinners and made them your children. Father, you are Holy and we bow our hearts to you, thanking you that you care for our souls, and we pray that you will keep touching our hearts so that the heavenly hope of beholding You in Your Glory becomes more and more real.

In Christ name, Amen

Blessing in Jesus Christ!!

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