Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians in chapter 6. The context of the letter is primarily a rebuke to the Galatians who are letting themselves be influenced by others to lean towards legalism as a means of salvation. Legalism refers to the wrong teaching that perfectly obeying the law is the way to salvation rather than submission to Christ and accepting His sacrifice on our behalf.
There is some good advice in the closing chapter.
- Look to restore those who trespass or sin with gentleness. We need not reject them, unless they refuse to repent.
- Help one another in bearing each others burdens. Let not the believers be divided to deal with sin alone.
- Let us not boast in others for their relationship with Christ. Let us focus on our own, while helping others with theirs.
- Support those who share the truth of the gospel.
- What we sow, whether righteousness or wickedness, so shall we reap. Seek to sow from the Spirit.
- Let us treat all with respect and care, but especially fellow believers.
- Keep a right view of the law… obeying the law is the fruit of our salvation (the result of it) and not the root of our salvation (the way we get it). Remember also, that “law” translates simply the concept of “instruction” and not specifically law as we think of it today.
- Let us seek to walk in spirit with Christ, praying for Him to be with us and our fellow believers.
Bear One Another’s Burdens
1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5For each one will bear his own load.
6The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8For 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. 9Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
11See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. 14But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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