The Book Of Galatians Chapter 6 Part 5 False Religion Can't Change Our Wicked Heart But The Gospel Of Christ Can Change Us!

A tender hearted expression of apostolic love.

Galatians 6:11  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 

Paul begins concluding this letter to the churches in Galatia by reminding them of a health issue he suffered from.

Most believe that Paul suffered from a vision problem. 

Saul was blinded when he saw the lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.

Acts 9:8-9  And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9)  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 

Saul (Later named Paul) was traveling to Damascus to persecute Christians like a madman. 

His singular goal was destroying Christ's newly formed church.

The Lord Jesus Christ stopped Saul in his tracks and he was converted to Christ. 

However, after the glory of the risen Lord in heaven blazed into his heart, Saul was blinded.

His companions led him by the hand into the city. There, Saul sat and fasted while awaiting instruction from the Lord.

Paul's conversion to faith in Jesus Christ was the pivotal turning point in his life. He was taught by Jesus and sent forth as His apostle.

Saul's sight was restored and was like scales falling off his eyes.

Acts 9:17-18  And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18)  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 

Jesus appeared to a saint named Ananias and instructed him to go heal Saul.

He obeyed his Lord and he told Saul why he came to see him.

Ananias put his hands on Saul and he received his sight. 

Luke describes the change in vision from blindness to seeing as scales falling off Saul's eyes. 

Later in life, Paul was caught up to heaven and saw glorious things but he was given a thorn in the flesh so that he would not become puffed up with pride (see 2 Corinthians 12:1-9).

Thus, many think that Paul's eyesight suffered because it was the thorn in the flesh from God.

After conversion to Christ some would have given their eyes to the apostle.

Galatians 4:15  Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 

Paul confirms his vision problem in writing to the Galatians. 

He reminded the Galatians that they once loved him and would have plucked out their own eyes in order to help Paul see better.

Galatians 6:11  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand. 

Thus, Paul wrote that he personally wrote this letter to them and his handwriting was in large letters. 

It is clear that most of his epistles were written by an scribe, and signed by Paul. 

It was challenging for Paul to write the entire letter to the Galatians by his own hand.

Using larger than normal letters while writing, was the only way that the apostle could see what the Spirit guided him to write.

This means that Paul wrote this epistle with great exertion due to poor eyesight.

This is a most tender display of his love and affection for the churches in Galatia.

False religion focuses on following man made rules instead of obeying God.

Galatians 6:12-13  As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 

Paul gives a final rebuke to Judaizers and any Galatians who fell into their error.

Judaism focused upon religious externals and the issue is that the heart is left unaddressed.

As long as you wore the prescribed garments, said the right things, and obeyed their list of man made rules, you were considered righteous with God.

However, the scriptures teach us that the "just" (those whom God declares righteous) shall live by faith not by works (See Habakkuk 2:4;  Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38.

Religious externals corrupt giving tithes and offerings.

Matthew 6:1-2  Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2)  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Notice Jesus' strong condemnation of Judaism, the same strain of religion that was plaguing the churches in Galatia.

They gave offerings so that other men would see them put an offering into the chest, and perceive them to be "religious."

In those days when a wealthy Jew put in an offering a horn was sounded in the temple to draw attention to the one giving money.

Such action is self conceited and greatly dishonors God.

Their only reward was having other men think highly of them when they put in their offering.

Therefore, our Lord tells us give our offerings secretly, privately so that no attention is on the giver.

Religious externals corrupt prayer.

Matthew 6:5-6  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6)  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 

Judaizers loved to pray standing in the synagogue and on street corners so that others would see them praying publicly.

They did this so that other men would think they were a religious person justified by God.

Yet, Jesus condemned this practice and said that the only benefit they receive is being seen and approved by other men.

They loved the praise of men rather than seeking praise from God.

Religious externals corrupt fasting.

Matthew 6:16  Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Judaizers loved to fast and when they did, they put on a mournful expression to tell everyone that they are religious because they are fasting.

Again, such external religious acts are worthless in the sight of God. 

Judaizers loved the praise of men instead of praise of God.

John 12:42-43  Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43)  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

John's gospel records many interactions of Jesus with religious hypocrites who thought they were justified by works not by faith.

At the heart level, they loved the praise of men more than they wanted the praise of God.

Judaizers focused on works they could do to gain God's favor.

Galatians 6:12-13  As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 

These are some examples of what Paul means when he said the Judaizers make a "Fair show in the flesh."

Judaizers loved man made, man centered religion because they could follow the rules and be told that they were justified with God.

They did not have any love for the Lord Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. 

Judaizers refused to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

Jesus said "Take up your cross and follow me," but they did not want to be persecuted for sake of the cross and gospel of Christ. 

Judaizers were circumcised because they thought the act of circumcision made them righteous. 

God seeks to circumcise our heart because it is deceitful and wicked.

Romans 2:28-29  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

No one knew Judaism better than the apostle Paul. He was trained by the famous rabbi Gamaliel. 

He was a man who used to practice religious externals thinking that it made him right with God.

What all men need, Jew and Gentile alike, is a heart that is circumcised. This is what being born again is about.

Ezekiel 11:19-21  And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: 20)  That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God. 21)  But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. 

It is receiving a new heart and a new spirit from God so that we can walk in newness of life. 

It is the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost (See Titus 3:4-6).

Ezekiel prophesied about this and it was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit of God came down and began building Christ's church.

With a new heart and spirit from God, we can choose to obey Him and honor God with our lives.

However, all those who think their works will get them to heaven remain dead in trespasses and sins. 

God will judge them according to their works and remember, the very best works any man can do is still as filthy rags in the sight of God. 

This is why Paul was so passionate about preaching the gospel of Christ. He knew the will of God was that all men, Jew and Gentiles would be saved.

No one can be saved without hearing the Word of God because faith comes by hearing the scriptures. 

Galatians 6:14-16  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 

Paul gloried on the cross of Christ, in the fact that God was manifest in the flesh to die for his sins, in order that He might save all who believe on Christ Jesus.

Education, status, wealth, accomplishments, gender, race do not matter to God. He is no respecter of persons.

Thus, the just shall live by repentant faith in Christ. 

They shall glory in the cross of their Savior.

They shall separate from the corrupt world culture and follow hard after Jesus.

Circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter to God. 

What matters for eternity is the answer to these questions.

Are you born again? (See John 3:1-18). 

Have you received that new heart and new Spirit God promised? (See Ezekiel 11:19-21). 

Are you a new creature in Christ whose  old sinful ways are passing away as God makes all things new for us? (See 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Galatians 6:17-18  From henceforth let no man 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. To the Galatians written from Rome. 

Thus Paul admonished the Galatians who stirred up so much trouble in the churches, to line up with what God says.

He commands them not to trouble him or the churches anymore.

Paul's body bore the disfiguring scars of his faith in Christ while the Judaizers refused to pick up their cross and follow Jesus. 

Paul then commended the Galatians to the grace of God, having done all that he could do to undo the wrongs of the Judaizers.

I pray that if you are not yet born again, that this will be the day of your salvation.

I pray for the Word of God to have free course to do its mighty work in the hearts of all who read and study the scriptures in this blog.

I pray for Christians who are weary in well doing to have their strength renewed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray for each one of us to devote ourselves to living for the glory of God as our mission in life.

May the Lord use us to reach many people for His kingdom.

May the Lord keep on changing and transforming us so that we are more like His Son, Jesus Christ.  

May God be glorified by our response to His Word.

Bob