Galatians 6:1-18

v2) "Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."

Christ called us to love one another like Christ loved the church. This is what Paul means by this statement, the call to bear each others struggles like Christ did throughout His life. There is a second subtle part to this verse. We must share our burdens with one another and thus give others the opportunity to help bear them. We are called to community, hence Paul use of the word brethren. So many church peoples, and me the most, place the "everything is fine" mask on during Sunday morning and throughout the week. How many times do you ask someone "how are you doing?" and get a real answer. Of course when real answers come we can stand there like we were just sucker punched, scrambling for words. Father direct us in those times to be able and bear burdens of our fellow believers.

v6) "The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him"
I'm not sure which way Paul means this. Is it physical "things", is this a call to provide for those who instruct us AND/OR is it a way to encourage our teachers without allowing it to go to their head? I remember how encouraged I would be when Sunday school kids would grab some nugget from the scriptures we had covered and could tell me it in their own words. Paul reminds us to share the "good things" with our instructors(I think as a form of encouragement), not just how "moving" the sermon was, but more...

• What did _we_ get out of it
• How to apply it to _our_ daily lives
• Can we share this with unbelievers
  

v9-10) The race is long, we knew this from the start because we were warned of this. (Luke 14:26-35) Victory only comes to those who finish and finish strong. I tire most quickly when I rely on my own strength, my own will, my own way....relying on ourselves makes finishing the race, staying the course impossible, just another reminder of our need for daily dependence on Christ. The time is short but the race intense. So while there is time let us not tire in doing good.

v11-15) The second part of v12) grabbed me. "...,simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ." Paul warns that the "teachers of circumcision" were really just trying to maintain status quo of the Law. They were not willing, as Paul was, to question those above them, to rock the boat. They feared suffering for the cross, and their teaching is one that leads to a heavy yoke, because it is a yoke we bear alone.


Lord, remind me today that it by grace that I am to live. Remind me to remind others of that simple truth. Take away my pride, help me to share my burdens, allow me the insight to bear others burdens. Strengthen me Lord so that I might finish the race well for the time is short, the workers are few and the harvest is plenty.

Gal 6:1-18

"Let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (v5:25-26).

Paul shows us what the church will be like when Christians are walking with the Spirit:

• We will gently restore other believers who are caught in a sin (v1).
• And we will do this without being tempted to pride in ourselves (v1).
• We will carry each other's burdens (v2).
• We will live with appropriate humility (v3-5).
• We will share all good things with each other (v6).
• We will reap a harvest for God's kingdom (v9).
• We will do good to others (v10).

These things are more of the fruits of walking in the Spirit. It is the Spirit that enables us. If we listen to those who tell us that we must live by our own efforts, we are in danger of missing out on a life lived by grace. "Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation" (v15).

Almighty God, thank you for making me a new creation - by Your grace alone through the work of Jesus. Help me to remember these truths as I live out my life. Show me how to live by Your Spirit and in Your Grace.

Gal 5:16-26

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again...no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit..."

Paul has just exhorted the Galatians to be free, but not to use their freedom to indulge the sinful nature (v5:13). Instead, he has exhorted them to serve one another in love (v5:13). How is a believer to live this way? By living by the Spirit (v5:16) and keeping in step with the Spirit (v5:25). But before we can live, we must die first. Those who are baptized into Christ are baptized into his death (Rom 6:3). "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature" (v24). We are no longer slaves to it. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free" (5:1). We are now free to live by the Spirit. We are freed to serve others, instead of ourselves. We are freed to see the acts of the sinful nature for what they are - not because the law tells us so, but because the Spirit does. We are freed to live out love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law that compels us to live this way (v5:23), it is the Spirit within us that bears this fruit in our lives (v5:22).

Father God, fill me and enable me to walk in Your Spirit more each day. Keep me in step with Your Spirit. Remind me that I am dead to sin. Show me when I serve myself instead of Your children. Convict me of my sins so that I can seek Your forgiveness. And allow me to see myself the way You see me.

Gal 5:1-12

Paul warns of returning to the yoke of slavery. He then lights up the salvation by works crowd, stating that those who receive circumcision are actually severed from Christ. While Paul focused on circumcision, a main contention between Jews and Gentile believers, his words could easily be applied to our favorite "good deeds". To sum it up in v6 Paul discounts circumcision, again "works", and hones in on the essence of our responsibilities in Christ, faith working through love.

They had it. They were running along fine, then WHAMO! Paul warns that just a little bit of this salvation by works affects the entire group, or church. I like the phrasing Paul uses in verse 10... he has confidence in them *in the Lord* that they will adopt no other view. Paul knew that left to ourselves they/we are easily persuaded away, BUT in the Lord they/we could find no other view. Paul's passion for this topic is evident in what he wishes upon the deceivers, mutilation... I'm fairly certain that this was of a sexual nature.

Again the passion of Paul and the warnings he provides on not living solely on the freedom found in Christ should be a reminder to us today. The church back then inflected this works based teaching on new believers, I think it still enters in subtlely in today's church... again Paul warns that it only takes a little to grab hold and effect the entire assembly.

Lord, Remind me to rest assured in your freedom through Christ and give me discrenment on warning others of salvation by works based thinking.

Gal 4:21-31

Paul continues the idea of God's family with a powerful metaphor from the law. Hagar is the old covenant, represented by Mount Sinai, and her children are slaves who must try to work their way to heaven by following the law. Romans 3:9-18 tells us that none of Hagar's children make it. It is Hagar, not Sarah, who turns out to be barren when it comes to bearing children into God's family. But we believers are Sarah's children, born into God's family through the promise of God - His grace. The Galatians (and me))  are "all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus (3:26)...Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise". After accepting the promise, how can we go back to Hagar's family, the law (4:21)?

Paul tells the Galatians that they must separate from those who are bringing the false teaching (4:30). Undoubtedly, this was difficult, just like it was for Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmail away. But the consequences are too important. The slave woman's son will *never* share in the inheritance with those who have accepted God's promise through faith in Jesus Christ. And God's children through the promise must not be led astray.

Father God, Your promise is a commitment - a marriage vow to Your church that You will never break. And You are faithful to me even when I am not faithful to my vows to You. I have no way to thank you for wanting to make this commitment to me, but thank You! Please show me today who I can share Your truth with to invite more children into Your family.