Lesson 83
December 22, 2002
6:14-17 Contrast: Paul's cross-centered ministry.
6:14a
The cross centered ministry
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ
6:14b
The effectiveness of the Cross
through which the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world.
- the
viewpoint, the mentality, the
organization of life apart from God is
summed up in this word ko,smoj.
- To be
dead or crucified says that we're dead, separated from the values, attitudes of
the world, they no longer have to impact or influence our thinking and
therefore our actions.
Summary
6:14
(What's in Paul's thinking here!)
1. The
Judaizers boast was in human attainment, human achievement, or self effort.
2. The legalist then does not appreciate the
cross because it stands as an indictment against al that they stand for.
3. Paul
was very familiar with the cosmos thinking from which these Judaizers were steeped since before the
Damascus road it was his world also.
4. But it
was because of the cross, because of the finished work of Christ that first
provided salvation but also through his identification with Christ (another
aspect of the Cross) he was raised up enabled to walk in newness of life.
5. He is
recognizing that he along with each of us as believers owe it all, the glory
belongs to Christ not to Paul or us.
6:15 What is the basis for legitimate boasting!
For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision,
Prin: The externals, the non-essentials don't really
matter, that is from God's standpoint. Unfortunately the externals are far
to important for most people.
What is important, what is the essential.
but a new
creation. avlla. kainh. kti,sijÅ emphasis is not new in time but new in form,
new in quality.
Summary 6:15
1. What
Paul is telling the Galatians is that God is not impressed with the externals
of who we are. What we might accomplish according to the standard of the flesh
and this world.
2. No ritual,
no none essential is really important, but what really matters is our
being new creations in Christ and what can then flow from that position.
3. God's
purpose or objective for this new creation that we are in Christ is for each of
us to become conformed to the image of Christ in time.
4. For this
to become a reality we need to grow up, to mature in Christ for it is the Word
of God in us, or as we have noted Christ in us through the Word that gives us
the muscle of soul to deal with the issues of life.
5. This new
man, the new creation in Christ, cannot go wrong because of two essential
provisions. First the word of God and second the ministry of the Holy Spirit
illuminating and making that truth real and applicable.
6:16
Promise to the believer in time
And those
who will walk by this rule,
What is it that accrues to those
who walk by this rule or standard?
peace and
mercy be upon them,
peace eivrh,nh brings back into focus the contentment that flows from
our reconcilliation with God and then as we grow in
grace the peace of God. 1st
Rom 5:1; 2nd Phil. 4:6-7
mercy e;leoj most lexicons define as
mercy, compassion, even pity
This
blessing Paul says extends to the
Israel of God. Who is in view
here?
Some
today take this to make the church is now the Israel of God, replacement
theology. Wrong!!!
The
Israel of God are Jews who have believed in Christ, the Messiah.
6:17 Paul's
last request to them
From now on
let no one cause trouble for me,
The last phrase here brings into view the marks of
his apostleship.
for I bear on my body the
brand-marks of Jesus.
Summary
6:17
1.
Believers are to be careful not to cause the communicator, the P/T, to
labor under great stress and adversity.
Heb. 13:17
2. Paul
clearly bore their burdens, the heavy weight of 6:2, as he did his own. 2 Cor 11:28
3. As a
bond slave of Christ, in fulfilling his ministry Paul had undergone great
physical pain and suffering and the marks were still there. 2 Cor 11:24-28
4. The
Judaizers, the legalists sought to impose circumcision as a sign of obedience
while Paul's body, marked by scars spoke more dramatically of his loyalty and
devotion to Christ and the ministry he was given.
5. The
Galatians were to take the teaching of this epistle and put to rest by its
application there in the Churches of Galatia all the false teaching and the
challenge to Paul's authority.
6:18 The Benediction!
The epistle ends as it began, that the grace of
God would be their abiding portion. 1:3
Summary 6:18
1. His
final challenge to them in this short benediction is to grow in grace that the
consciousness of God's grace would be a reality to them. 2 Pet. 3:18
2. Paul has
made it very clear, God's grace operates in Phase 1, salvation (justification),
in Phase 2 living the Christian life
(sanctification) and in Phase 3 when we're face to face (glorification).
3. They as
well as each of us needs to understand that God has made the total provision
for us so that we can walk by the Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit in
our lives all to His glory.
4. The
decision is then up to each of us as it was to them. Will it be:
Liberty, License or Legalism??