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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)
7. Paul glories only in the cross (Galatians 6:15-18)
GALATIANS 6:15-18
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Now Paul blows the trumpet of victory making the world hear that the new creation began from the ascension of Christ, and the old creation with its religions, rites, and laws was insufficient, condemned, and rejected. The righteousness of Christ from the cross brought the possibility of a new creation. God prevailed over sin, and his eternal life dwelt in the justified flesh as the essence of the new creation. Therefore, we thank Christ Jesus with all our life for his inexpressible grace, for the Holy Spirit dwells in us, and because of his blood, we have obtained eternal life. Yet, he who supposes he will sanctify natural people by the rules of food, circumcision, or ablutions, is conceited. He is like a sailor who tries to repair a sunken ship. But we have entered into a new ship, and moved to Christ who is our power, future, and joy. He, who lives in the range of the law of Christ, lives in peace.
Did Paul come to us with a new law when he told us about the law of Christ? No, but he defined his gospel as the expanse of grace towards the house of legalistic judgment. He who enters into the truth of mercy experiences that the law of Christ means insurance and peace from God. Blessed is the man who accepts the mercy of God embodied in Christ. Many people speak about the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, but they do not know him in fact. However, we know him. His name is Jesus Christ. Even the Jewish individuals who become free from the old law and enter into the new covenant participate in the grace of mercy. The righteousness of God is greater than our minds, and his love never falls.
Paul described himself as bearing in his body the marks of Christ, and said that he had suffered much for his Lord. He did not preach the gospel in pompous language, but he bore with patience the persecutions and sufferings, which resulted from his preaching. He did not withdraw from difficulties, but he went forward to the evil authorities, confronted them, and testified the truth courageously. He asked his church not to disturb him by going back to the bonds of the law, but to keep firm in the grace.
With this great word “grace”, the apostle closed his powerful epistle, asking God to cause the fullness of his gifts to dwell in the people of his Galatian church, and the Holy Spirit was prepared to dwell with all his gifts and wisdom in them.
He who builds his life and plans on his own mind, or relies on a party program, a civil organization, or a certain philosophy is limited and earthly. But he who abides in the lightening and guidance of the Holy Spirit experiences his eternal power, and sees the eternal acts of God. The Lord wants to fill you with his Spirit, and to make you grow in his grace. Did you open your heart completely to his saving will? Are you going to be a messenger of the grace of God to all men? Then you are our brother in the Spirit, for God caused us to be his children that we might preach his holy virtues by word and deed. So join us in praising the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for from him grace comes to us, who are unworthy. Through faith, we have obtained the complete righteousness of God. This is true and certain. Amen.
PRAYER: We worship to you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and we praise you joyfully, because you did not condemn us to destruction, and you did not reject us according to our sins, but you were merciful to us, and you gave us life on the strength of the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and you sent us to serve those who are dead in sins and faults. Teach us to preach the gospel of grace with power and wisdom that many children may be born to you. Establish us in the fullness of your grace that our life may become praise for your love.
QUESTION:
- Why did Paul call the Galatians brothers? Why did he close his epistle with the word “grace”?
QUIZ
Dear Reader,
If you answer only 24 of the following questions, you will have penetrated deeply into the word of God, and we will send you, as a prize, another booklet from our series of publications:
- Where are the Galatian churches located?
- What were the delusions and false beliefs, which stole into these churches?
- What are the three parts of this epistle?
- Who sent Paul to his apostolic service? How did this commission take place? (Also Read Acts 1: 22).
- Which are the essential words in the apostolic benediction, and what are their meanings?
- Why did Paul warn the Galatians from deceivers?
- What is the essence of the gospel?
- What were the six acts (in verses 15 and 16), which changed Paul’s life? What does that mean?
- What is the significance of Paul’s first visit to Jerusalem?
- What is the Christian freedom?
- What were the end and result of the first Council of apostles?
- Why did Paul oppose Peter severely?
- What is the heart of our faith?
- How are we saved?
- Who are the children of Abraham? Why?
- How were we redeemed from the curse of the law?
- Who participates in the promise of God to Abraham?
- What is the purpose of the law?
- How are we carried from the bondage of the law to the freedom and union of the children of God?
- What are the four steps of God’s plan of salvation?
- Why did Paul not care for keeping special days for worshiping the Lord?
- How could Paul say, “Become like me”?
- Why did Paul suffer for the Galatians?
- To whom did Paul liken Hagar, the mother of Ishmael?
- Why are we free and what is the purpose of our spiritual freedom?
- Why is the law automatically separated from Christ?
- How did Paul become certain of the return of his church members, and of the divine condemnation against the deceivers?
- What is Christian liberty?
- What is the difference between walking in the Spirit in slavery under the law?
- What are – in your opinion – the fruits of the flesh, which prevail in human beings? What are the virtues of the Spirit, which we need?
- How do we fulfill the law of Christ? What is the difference between his law and the law of the old covenant?
- Why is money important in the service of God?
- Why did the apostle reject all honor and dignity in man, and chose only the honor, which comes from Christ?
- Why did Paul call the Galatians brothers? Why did he close his epistle with the word “grace”?
If you complete the study of this booklet on Galatians and send us your answers to the questions at the end, we will send you a
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in understanding the Letter of Paul to the Galatians
as an encouragement for your future services for Christ. We are awaiting your answers and praying for you. Our address is:
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