New Creation
New Creation - Galatians 6
We have come to the end of Galatians. Such an excellent book with so much application for us, I have learned some new things this time through, and this morning the new revelations continue. I love that about the Bible and learning. This book is alive and continually feeds us, and gracefully delivers revelations.
In summary, the book of Galatians is about a body of believers who were following Jesus, honoring Him with their lives, and then turned away, and returned to living by the law. These believers returned to religion and were bound up in the chains of the law. Paul spends six chapters, tearing away the shackles and unlocking the bonds and guiding them back to the grace and love of the gospel.
Opening in chapter 6 is something powerful and centers us on the gospel.
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” - Galatians 6:1 NIV
We might need reminding that Christians still sin. A shocker, right? We fall short and sin regularly. We are not to justify those sins, but we are supposed to support each other and guide each other out of a sinful life. Paul uses the words “restore that person gently.” This embodies grace and love. Restoring and back to life and back on track. But while we are restoring, Paul makes it clear that we must watch ourselves, for we may be tempted. This gives us some type of indication that if we are restoring and serving others, we will be close to them. This restoring isn't just a little cash here, a prayer there...that would not tempt us. Restoring is getting dirty and in a mess with them, doing life together. This is what the Christian life should look like, and while we are doing it, we need to heed caution to falling into sin.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.” - Galatians 6:2-3 NIV
Paul continues on with this and describes this restoring and walking with others. Serving one another looks like carrying each other burdens. I don’t know about you, but I desire to fulfill the law of Christ, and Paul tells us how. We serve each other and carry each other’s burdens. Then in verse 3, Paul speaks to us that don't like to be served or don't like to admit we need help. If you don’t think you need some burdens carried, you are deceiving yourself. We all can use a hand, a shoulder to lean on, or a dose of wisdom and accountability now and then. Don’t be a fool, and live a life in isolation, lean on others.
Paul then gets back on the sowing and reaping. The farming analogies. For me, when I read this, it’s simple, we get out of life what we put into it. The decisions and choices we make every day play out. I know there is a bit more to it than that, but I think we need to realize our part in this thing called life.
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” - Galatians 6:7-8 NIV
Here it is!
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 NIV
We must do our part, again and again, and again. Focus on doing good, making the right and honorable decisions. Do the right thing when it’s hard. Do not give up, do not grow weary in choosing the right direction, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest. But growing from a seed takes a long time. It takes extensive work! Have you tried to grow a garden? Wow, it is a massive effort, keeping the weeds out, keeping the bugs at bay is a full-time job. This is life, and this is what we do Christ-followers. We tend to the garden of life, and we must put in the effort every moment of the day. It’s effort and work, but it is worth it.
And as Paul is wrapping up and leading the horse to the barn, he closes with a few essential thoughts.
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” - Galatians 6:14 NIV
As we are working hard, doing the work, and serving others, we do not turn these works and efforts into pride or boasting. Paul brings this back up because it will happen. Pride and boasting are at the center of religion, rules, and legalism. We must shed those and live in grace and love. If we boast, boast in the Lord alone.
This is a New Creation and new day, and that is what counts!
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.” - Galatians 6:15 NIV
“Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!” - Galatians 6:15-16 MSG
Free life! No religion to bind us up and shackle us to a place where we can not see God. A new creation in Christ Jesus that produces freedom. Praise God for the Gospel, the good news in Jesus.
Love God. Love others! May your freedom in Christ Jesus today be a blessing to God and others.