Start a Trend: Live Honestly
Galatians 6:11-18
I. Living honestly in the Spirit is to be humble; 6:11-13.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.
Paul writes the conclusion. The large letters signify importance and are an ancient style of our bolding or italicizing. The false teachers were not living in the Spirit and were motivated by self-interest and their own agenda. They were manipulators, compromisers, hypocrites, and attention-seekers.
We must be careful that we do not place too much emphasis on how we appear to others and forget who we are trying to please. Concern of possible conflict and persecution should not hinder us from living in the Spirit and sharing the gospel.
Living honestly in the Spirit is to be humble. Are you cultivating humility in your life and trying to crucify pride and your sinful nature? There is no room for boasting considering Jesus’ death on the cross for our sin. We must crucify the sinful nature and live by the Spirit to cultivate humility.
II. Living honestly in the Spirit boasts in the cross; 6:14.
14 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.
Paul says, do not boast in anything except the grace of Jesus’ death on the cross. Boasting in the cross shows that you place your confidence in Jesus and His death for your salvation. The cross reminds us not to trust in our religious activity or good actions. Because of the cross, you are dead to this world and all its claims on your life. So, boast in the cross.
The cross has the power to free us from the world's bondage: corruption, meaninglessness, hopelessness, futility, twisted values, brokenness, and despair, and the works of the sinful nature: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. When Christ died, we died to the world. Now we live a new life in Him. It does not mean that the world does not affect us. The deathblow has been dealt at the cross, but the world still has a lingering influence.
Because of the cross, the cares of this world do not have to crush us because we have a different perspective. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You will be different from the world if you live in the Spirit. Others may deem you crazy or foolish but living honestly in the Spirit boasts in the cross.
III. Living in the Spirit values transformation; 6:15-16.
15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
A person who is united with Jesus Christ, who died on his behalf, is never the same person again. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come" (2 Cor 5:17). You may have done many religious or good activities, but none of it matters if you have not become a new creation in Christ.
Paul says this new community lives by a rule or standard: the message of the cross, life in the Spirit, and being a new creation. In the church we find peace when we live in the Spirit and walk in the gospel. Peace and mercy are available to all by grace through faith as they embrace the gospel and live in the Spirit.
IV. Living in the Spirit bears the marks of Jesus; 6:17-18.
17 Finally, 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.
Paul says that he will not allow himself to be anxious, bullied, or distracted by the agendas and rules of people, especially these false teachers. Instead, Paul lives for Jesus. The word for "marks" is stigmata or scars. Paul is referring to the wounds he received from following Jesus. False teachers wanted to boast in the ritual marks of circumcision. Paul says, “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
Unlike the false teachers, he had not avoided persecution by preaching a false gospel. He faithfully lived in the Spirit and shared the gospel and had the marks to prove it. If we follow Jesus and live by the Spirit, we are going to bear some marks. We should be ready and not surprised when we suffer for Jesus' sake. Jesus promises that He will be with us.
The grace of God revealed in the gospel of Jesus has not only changed our relationship with God; it has also changed our relationship with people. God forms a family through the gospel. Now may grace be reproduced in us as we live honestly in the Spirit.
