Today we are going to be finishing up our Galatians Bible study with me series by diving into chapter 6, and I'm super excited! I've learned so much as I've gone through Galatians by myself and then come back to share with you, and it's my prayer that you've learned something as well. If you haven't stayed caught up with the first five posts in this series, I would highly encourage you to check out those first!
This chapter is full of final instructions and encouragements to both the churches in Galatia and Christians today. Paul gives specific ways that we are to live our lives in step with the Spirit, glorifying Christ, especially in how we interact with others.
Gently restore those who have fallen into sin. This conversation is to be prayerful and Spirit-led. Paul says that we must have self control, so that we are not tempted ourselves. As the body of Christ, we must hold each other accountable, but we also have to cling tightly to the convictions that God has placed on our own hearts and follow His lead closely. And, it's important that all of our words, all of our actions, must be motivated by love and grace, not envy or pride.
Carry each others' burdens. This is the whole purpose of the body of Christ, that we wouldn't have to bear the weight of life alone. We are to have a mutual sharing of burdens, as we help others and receive the same help as well. I imagine a beautiful picture of passing around a heavy weight, so that when one member gets tired, the others will help bring relief and rest. Surround yourself with people who will pick you up after you fall and take some of the burden off of your shoulders, gently guiding you back to the cross. And work on becoming that person for your community, too.
Test your own actions. Above all else, we are not responsible for anyone's actions or lifestyles except our own. We must take a step back and re-evaluate, for ourselves, if we are living according to the way that Christ wants us to, and if our heart posture is aligned with His. We shouldn't compare ourselves to other people but have our eyes fixed on Christ alone. This is a hard, brutal process, to be so honest with ourselves to acknowledge the ways that we've fallen short and failed, but Jesus wants to meet us with grace and guide us back on track.
You reap what you sow. I wholeheartedly believe in this. What you plant, how you spend your time, what you invest in, the decisions you make, will produce fruit. What kind of fruit do you want to be seen in your life? Make choices accordingly and intentionally - it's as simple as that. This is why we must pour into the church, filling our minds and hearts with the truth and with what points to Christ, because we will see evidence of whatever we intake in our attitudes, words, thoughts, and behaviors.
Do not become weary in doing good. Paul knows how easy it is to be discouraged as a Christian. He knows what it feels like to be planting and working and investing in all the right things and still not seeing a productive, fruitful harvest. But he encourages us to stay faithful to the process, because in time, we will see the harvest. Later on in Philippians he tells us that He who began a good work in us will complete that work, and I think that's what he means here too. We have to keep taking heart, keep rejoicing, keep trusting, because we will experience the promise in due time.
Do good to all people, especially other Christians. In all of our interactions, this is what it comes down to. We are called to be kind people, to all people, no matter what. The church should have a special place in our heart, but we aren't to reserve our love exclusively for those who agree with us. Be kind, extend grace, as the opportunity presents itself.
He closes the book reminding them not to boast in the flesh or in circumcision, but in Christ alone. Paul warns them that those who are circumcised are trying to impress and convince them to be circumcised as well, but he tells them that circumcision or uncircumcision does not matter. What counts is the new creation that we become in Christ, and in that, the law has no hold on us, and neither does circumcision. It doesn't hold any power.
And in our lives, even if we aren't debating circumcision, don't forget that all of the "good" things we can do fall short. In themselves, they hold no power, and they are not the key to salvation. Christ holds all the power, and He is the key to salvation. If our hearts aren't hidden in Him, then nothing else matters. Period.
All of the fruit that we're working on and praying for, all of the ways we're called to love and serve and honor Christ, should be a result of having an intimate relationship with Him. These things aren't a checklist to follow or standards to strive for but instead indicators that we've been drawing close to our Savior. Our lives should be shifting because our hearts are becoming more like Jesus' because we've been spending intentional time with Him, not because we feel like we need to do these things to earn the "good Christian badge" or to achieve His love. That's not what this is about, friends. Seek Him first, surrender your hearts to Him, over and over and over again, follow His leading, and the fruit will come. You don't have to work so hard to make it happen.
And that, my friends, is the conclusion of this Bible study with me series through Galatians! I was so blessed by it, and I pray that you were too. Ultimately, though, I pray that you received the message of grace time and time again and were able to pull a little closer to Jesus. That's what this book is all about, and it's what Jesus is all about: grace. We don't need to strive anymore, but fall into the arms of an incredibly loving and gentle Savior. He will catch you when you fall.
What was your favorite part of this series? Is this something that you'd like more of in the future? Let me know down in the comments below!
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