In our passage today, Paul is concluding his letter to the Galatian churches, and this message remains Truth to the universal Church of believers today. In verse 11, which is the first line of “Paul’s Final Advice”, he points out that he is writing the letter himself and he does it in all capital letters. The usual practice of writing, at that time, would have been to dictate to a trained secretary who would have neatly printed the letter for public reading in the churches. By Paul writing himself and, in a caps, he is letting believers know the seriousness of this message.
Today’s eight verses summarize what Paul has been saying throughout the letter, that false teachers will try to persuade believers to submit to their flesh rather than to the Holy Spirit, and the sad part is that some of them do not even realize they are working against God’s Word and for Satan. That is why it is critical that you, me, and all believers remain in the Word of God all of the time. Paul uses the example of circumcision again to help believers understand the motives of false teacher’s hearts. The false teachers at that time would want to “look good to others” (not much has changed today, it might even be worse), but those teachers had an outward express of the Jewish system practices (the Law). Paul’s message is the exact opposite of living outwardly by our flesh nature, as he points you, me, and all believers to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to grow closer and closer in our relationship with Christ Jesus.
Friends, all that you and I do is for the glory of Jesus. Paul makes sure that we know he has no interest in this world, that all of his worldly interests have been crucified and died. That he has been transformed into a new creation because of Jesus. You and I have been transformed into a new creation because of our choice to lay down our earthly lives and to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
Galatians 6:11-18 NLT
Paul’s Final Advice
11 NOTICE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I USE AS I WRITE THESE CLOSING WORDS IN MY OWN HANDWRITING.
12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being our example. You laid down Your life for each one of us. Holy Spirit, help us to disconnect from our worldly desires, and to grow deeper in our relationship with You. Impart Your wisdom and discernment to our spirit to know when we encounter false teachers and those who seek to spread false doctrine. Thank You for Pastor Mary, who seeks to spread Your Truth, Your Word, and share Your message of eternal love. Cover her with Your protection and protect our spiritual Family so that we can continue to build Your Kingdom. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.