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GALATIANS 6 THE MARKS OF CHRIST IN YOUR BODY

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October 5

GALATIANS 6

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whichthe world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. – Galatians 6:11-18

GALATIANS 6 THE MARKS OF CHRIST IN YOUR BODY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Do you bear the marks of Christ in your body?

Have you been dejected because of your belief in Jesus?

The Lord said that if we follow him, we will be rejected

Take courage for as you serve God, expect to be persecuted.

In this letter, Paul prepares the Galatian church to face suffering and persecution with a mindset that it is the marks of Christ in their bodies. He tells the believers that the only thing they can boast about are their adversities and miseries because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He points out that those who claim to be circumcised do not actually live the law of love. The fruit of the Spirit would be the new creation in Christ.

In a commentary by Barclay, he says: The marks of the Lord Jesus were not wounds similar to Jesus’ wounds; they are marks that identify – or even “brand” – Paul as a follower of Jesus. In the ancient world, slaves were branded with the name of their master. “Often a master branded his slaves with a mark that showed them to be his. Most likely what Paul means is that the scars of the things he had suffered for Christ are the brands which show him to be Christ’s slave.”

REFLECTION

  • Share some of the marks of Christ in you? Did these marks make your faith grow?

GALATIANS 6 FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST

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October 4

GALATIANS 6

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:1-10

GALATIANS 6 FULFILL THE LAW OF CHRIST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you serve your Lord Jesus Christ

Stay faithful to lead a pure and holy life

Be on guard with your brothers who are falling into sin

Those who are mature enough to guide them, be warned

Do not let them pull you down but fulfill the law

It is in sharing each other’s burdens that you show your love

Persevere and press on to do what is good especially to all believers

Do not grow tired of walking in the Spirit so you will reap eternity.

In this letter, Paul continues to expound on the concept of walking in the Spirit versus following one’s flesh. He teaches the Galatian church to fulfill the law of Christ and enumerates some ways this can be done. He says that a believer must be accountable to and for his brother or sister in Christ. In other words, they responsibly check each other out so they can ensure that faith matures and that they can preserve their hearts and guard it from corruption and sin. Paul also cautions them that when they bring back a falling brother into the fold, they must not fall into the same trap of the enemy.

REFLECTION

·       Is verse 2 and 5 contradicting each other? Why or why not? What does it mean?

GALATIANS 5 IF YOU WALK BY THE SPIRIT

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October 3

GALATIANS 5

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

                                                                  – Galatians 5:16-26

GALATIANS 5 IF YOU WALK BY THE SPIRIT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you haven’t starved your flesh you’ll struggle with sin

Because the desires of the flesh are against God’s spirit

You will be unable to please God since you will prioritize yourself

If you walk by the Spirit of the Lord, you will crucify your desires

Serve the Lord your God alone and you will bear fruit of the Spirit

You will overcome evil if you obey the Lord and follow his will.

In this letter, Paul differentiates what it would look like if you live under law or if you live under grace. He says that they are opposed to each other. One of them is to give God all the glory and the other one is to give oneself praise. To walk in the Spirit is to manifest his fruit which he mentions in verses 22-23. Paul says that against them, there is no law. In other words, Paul is saying that it is not fabricated by the work of a man to be good or follow the rules. It is the result of the work of the Spirit that we are able to give evidence to God’s work in our hearts. In verse 18, he says that if you walk in the Spirit, you are not bound by the law, but by God’s grace and mercy. It is not your work but God’s.

REFLECTION

·       Why is it impossible to walk in the Spirit if you haven’t repented of your sins?

GALATIANS 5 TRUTH BASED FREEDOM

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October 2

GALATIANS 5

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.      

                                                                    – Galatians 5:11-15

GALATIANS 5 TRUTH BASED FREEDOM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Christ died for you to set you free from the bondage of sin

Use such freedom to love another and not to cater to your flesh

When liberty is used to express what is true and right

You are honoring the Lord who gave himself up to die

Do not be tempted to use freedom to fight for your own rights

When you believe, your rights have been surrendered to Christ.

The apostle Paul cautions the Galatian believers on how to live in the freedom that Christ died for. He warns them not to misuse the liberty that was granted to all those who believed in Christ. Because we live in this corrupt world, the flesh could easily want to use freedom to satisfy their cravings. In verse 14, Paul reminds them of the law of loving your neighbor as yourself. The fulfillment of the law is through loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Freedom will follow if we love one another and not follow the way the world uses autonomy.

In the world system, freedom is taken so much out of context. Freedom for many worldly people means that they can do whatever they please. Our sinful nature caters to satisfy the “self.” When we are the center of our lives, we become very selfish and we can easily use freedom to justify our desires. It is very easy to forget others when we are so obsessed with self-gratification. A truth-based freedom is one that is motivated by love and not by ambition and power.

REFLECTION

  • How has the world misuse freedom and why do you think they think this way?

GALATIANS 5 YOU ARE FREE INDEED!

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October 1

GALATIANS 5

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. – Galatians 5:1-10

GALATIANS 5 YOU ARE FREE INDEED!

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Jesus died on the cross, he rescued us from bondage

We are no longer slaves to sin but to his own righteousness

Do not revert back to your slavery because you are free indeed

Continue to wear your new nature in Christ by staying pure and holy.

Paul warns the Galatian church to continue to live under grace and let go of following laws for the sake of just following them. In Jesus, we are no longer bound to follow our old nature because when he died on the cross, he gave us the ability to wear our new nature in him.

It is sad to watch some believers who still continue to walk under the law instead of living under grace. The old life has a grasp of them and they aren’t able to embrace the new nature that Christ has given them when he died on the cross for them. The world system became ingrained in them that they succumb to the flesh instead of to God’s Spirit.  They continue to self-soothe instead of obeying the laws of the Lord. No wonder, they fail to grow their faith and miss out on the calling that the Lord has in store for them. They go back to the prison of fear, doubt, anxiety and double-mindedness.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about Christians who do not live free lives?

GALATIANS 4 ON SPEAKING THE TRUTH BOLDLY

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September 29

GALATIANS 4

12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. 15 What then has become of your blessedness? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them. 18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, 19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! 20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. – Galatians 4:12-20

GALATIANS 4 ON SPEAKING THE TRUTH BOLDLY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When a believer speaks the truth shamelessly

He will encounter much resistance from the enemy

Because the word of God is the sword of the Spirit

It pierces the hearts of those who are sinning habitually

When truth is spoken boldly, it provokes a man’s whole being

Because the truth sets one free, sinners will surely resist it.

Paul addresses the Galatian believers regarding their offense against his confrontation of their sins. He reminded them how they had initially received him in Galatia, when he was so frail and sick. Acts 14:19-20 says that Paul was stoned and it was probably the reason why he was sick. He was almost unable to survive that stoning, but according to some commentaries, he miraculously survived it. Some commentaries suggested that he wasn’t really going to Galatia, but because of that stoning event, he was led to go there.

In this letter, Paul was pleading with them to emulate his faithfulness to Christ and choose the path to righteousness. He implored them not to stay offended just because he rebuked them of their sins.  The truth will set them free if they repent and turn back to God.

REFLECTION

·     Share an incident when speaking the truth boldly resulted in persecution.

GALATIANS 4 AS LONG AS WE ARE ENSLAVED TO THE WORLD

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September 28

GALATIANS 4

I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 3 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years! 11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain. – Galatians 4:1-11

GALATIANS 4 AS LONG AS WE ARE ENSLAVED TO THE WORLD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses        

As long as we love this world, we remain in bondage to sin

We will be unable to mature and reap the fruits of the Spirit

As infants and children, we will be under the care of a guardian

As long as we are enslaved to the world, we won’t have freedom.

In this letter, the apostle Paul likens slavery to a child. He explained to the Galatian church that even if you are an heir, as long as you are still a child, it doesn’t matter if you are an heir. As a child, your understanding, abilities and skills are limited because you will have to be under the guardianship of an adult. Your development as a child is still not fully developed. Someone who is mature and older can help you grow into becoming wiser and mature in your thinking. Paul calls it slavery to be infants because an underdeveloped brain doesn’t give you the full capacity to make the right choices and decisions. As Christians, we no longer are slaves to sin, but to righteousness in Christ. As long as we stunt our faith growth, we will have a form of slavery in this world. We need to grow our faith and mature as Christians.

REFLECTION

  • How is being a slave to sin an indication that you haven’t grown your faith?

GALATIANS 3 SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS

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September 27

GALATIANS 3

19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one.21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.– Galatians 3:19-29

GALATIANS 3 SONS OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God’s law was given because of our transgressions

These laws reflect our sinful nature that needs to be addressed

The truth exposes all evil and gave us the gift of freedom

The law became our guardian against sins before Christ came

When Jesus died for all our sinfulness, we became sons of God

We no longer are slaves to sin but we are now slaves to righteousness.

In this letter, Paul talks about the believers as heirs according to the promise of God to his people.  When the commandments were given to his people through Moses, it was a form of mirror so that the people of God could be aware of their sinful nature until his promise of a Savior was fulfilled. When Jesus died on the cross, those laws were summed up in two: to love God above all things and then to love others as we love ourselves. We were freed from our sinful nature and given a new creation in Christ. We no longer serve our cravings but we now aim to please the Lord and serve him and walk in righteousness.

REFLECTION

  • What changed when Jesus died for us when it comes to following God’s laws?

GALATIANS 3 LAW IS NOT OF FAITH

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September 26

GALATIANS 3

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12 But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.15 To give a human example, brothers: even with a man-made covenant, no one annuls it or adds to it once it has been ratified. 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 17 This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. 18 For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.

                                                                      – Galatians 3:10-17

GALATIANS 3 LAW IS NOT OF FAITH

David Guzik comments on verse 10 as “To prove his point Scripturally Paul quoted from Deuteronomy 27:26. The Old Testament itself shows us that if we do not keep all things in the law and actually do them, then we are under a curse. The important words are all and do. For God to approve you on the basis of the law, you first have to do it. Not simply know it, not simply love it, not simply teach it, not simply want it, you must do it. Secondly, you have to do it all.” The book of James mentions the royal law in chapter 2:8 which is to love your neighbor as yourself. It says in that same chapter in verse 10 that whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. That is what Paul is referring to here.  To follow the law is to walk in love and not to follow rules. In other words, our relationship with God and with others need to be based on loving, not just compliance to certain rules. When Paul refers to the law here, he is addressing the over 600 additional laws that the Jews added to the ten commandments. When Jesus died, he gave us grace and not just a bunch of laws. He showed us what it is to obey as a result of love and not to obey as a result of fear.

REFLECTION

  • How  is obedience without love a form of work and not faith?

GALATIANS 3 FAITH COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

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September 25

GALATIANS 3

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? 7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justifythe Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. – Galatians 3:1-9

GALATIANS 3 FAITH COUNTED AS RIGHTEOUSNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for

It is also the conviction of things not seen

When we believe in our Lord Jesus Christ

Our faith is counted as our own righteousness

Even if things aren’t visible or we don’t understand

We know that what is promised by God is going to happen.

In this letter, Paul explains to the Galatian church about true faith which is the opposite of works. He stresses that faith comes from the Holy Spirit and not from the usual fleshy works they do. He gives Abraham as an example of faith. Abraham originated from a family of pagans in the land of Ur. According to truthunity.net “The city of Ur is an important example of the Sumerian cities and civilization in Southern Mesopotamia. The excavated objects from the Royal Tombs of Ur (First Dynasty of Ur, ca. 2600 BC) can be considered as emblematic of the wealth, power, and sophistication of the Sumerian civilization.” Do you ever wonder why God called Abraham out of his birthplace? He was being prepared to be the father of faith and of all nations. Wealth and power don’t mix with the life that God wants his people to lead. Abraham’s obedience proved his faith.

REFLECTION

  • How do you think wealth and power can be hindrances to true faith?