We closed out our overview of Galatians today, looking at the principle of selfless giving of one's time, talent, and treasure that reaps eternal reward, in V.6-10, and Paul's attitude of being crucified to the world in V.12-18. V.6-10 encourage us to keep focused on sharing our faith, encouraging others in their journey into Christian maturity. V.6 is very similar to the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20, in that Paul instructs us to follow his example in the revelation delivered to him by our Lord Jesus Christ, for this mystery time period known as the dispensation of the grace of God. Philippians 4:9: Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 2 Timothy 2:2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2:24-26: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach (teachable), patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 1 Peter 3:15-16: But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. V.7-9 remind us that we will reap what we sow. In this context, Paul is emphasizing if we focus on the outward manifestations of religious spirituality, as the Judaizers did, we will reap corruption. But, if we focus on the spiritual growth of those, we have opportunity to encourage, we will reap eternal reward. Paul reminds us to do good to all we are given the opportunity to in V.10. This is a companion scripture to Romans 12:18...as much as lieth within you, live peaceably with all men. The great warning of V.12-18 is to beware of leaders who want to bask in their own personal glory based upon the outward manifestations of spirituality, they convince their followers to do. Paul's personal focus was on the power of the cross of Christ! He focused on the wisdom of the cross, which is foolish to this world – 1 Corinthians 1:18. He focused on the words of the cross – “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”, and “It is finished.” He focused on the work of the cross – 2 Corinthians 5:21: For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Paul reminds us in V.17 that his scars and suffering give him special privilege to testify of God's grace given him through his suffering. Please take a moment and read 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 and 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 to see all that Paul went through for his witness for Christ. May we all come to the same conclusion as Paul in Philippians 3:10-14: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
