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GALATIANS - I Have Been Crucified With Christ
Studies in the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
PART 4: FREEDOM FROM THE LAW OF MOSES IS THE FOUNDATION OF CONDUCT IN THE HOLY SPIRIT (Galatians 5:1 – 6:18)
1. Stand fast in the liberty of Christ (Galatians 5:1-12)
GALATIANS 5:7-12
7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if he would obtain the prize. The Christian faith means movement, life, and activity; and the course of our religion is not aimless, for Jesus Christ, himself, is our only aim, our center of attention, our source of life, and the end of our thankfulness.
Yet, the spiritual progress of the Galatians had been arrested. Someone had hindered the converts who stopped in the midst of the race and held a conversation about the true aim, the best way, and the divine order of the race. A deceiver had thrown doubts in their way, and they deviated from the way, the truth, and the life. They declined, stumbled, and fell one after the other.
Paul called them from afar, saying to them: God did not deceive you, nor did Christ guide you to legalistic opinions, since he had released you from the obligations of the old covenant. The antichrist had deceived you, even though he came to you in the form of godliness. Poisonous thoughts are like the little leaven, which leavens the whole lump. Therefore, do not allow any legalistic thought to spread through your meetings, for the Holy Spirit opposes all attempts of combination or reconciliation of differing religions. The grace of the cross is unique, and whoever comes with the trade of good works despises the free salvation.
Paul did not discuss these things in an objective philosophical way, but he prayed for his churches, and knelt down before his Lord for their steadfastness, until he received from the voice of the Holy Spirit the full assurance that his brothers would return and not fall in the trap of the devil. At the same time, the Spirit of the truth confirmed to Paul that the deceiver in the church would fall down and bear severe condemnation having disturbed the family of God, and planted doubts in those who were born of the Spirit.
Woe to the priest, bishop, or anyone else who does not present the gospel of grace purely to his church. He falls into a severer judgment than the others do, for God gave his Son for the salvation of all. Then how can the deceiver declare good works and fulfillment of the obligations of the law as a condition of salvation? Such thoughts come from hell and not from heaven.
The deceivers probably said that Paul himself was circumcised, and that he circumcised Timothy, who was born of a Jewish woman. Now, Paul answers them briefly that his persecution by the Jews is the proof that he did not leave the message of the cross, and that he considers any other way as false. The offense of the cross is Paul’s treasure, and the death of Jesus is the reason for everlasting life in believers.
Paul admits no other way for salvation but through the Crucified, through our holding fast to him, and spreading out the gifted righteousness over all the peoples. However, the Jews who saw that the admittance to the fellowship of God might be gained through circumcision, went out of their minds, and sought to kill Paul many times, knowing that that the gospel of grace abolished the religion of law. Paul suffered from their plots and their hatred that he wished that all deceivers were even cut off that they might not disturb the peace of Christians any further, as Jesus himself foretold that the Father takes away every branch that does not bear fruit.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus who was crucified and raised from the dead, examine our hearts, our thoughts, and our consciences whether we have any intent or self-action to establish our salvation or to glorify ourselves. Take away from us all the roots of our disobedience that we may worship you, believing in your complete salvation given to us freely. Establish us in your mighty grace that we may overcome temptations in the power of your Spirit, and determine to struggle to preach the world, giving the last drop of our blood to glorify your glorious name.
QUESTION:
- How did Paul become certain of the return of his church members, and of the divine condemnation against the deceivers?