Galatians 6:11-16 Paul has one final word.
“See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!
Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
But as for me, 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. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.
Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.”
“See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!” Paul is winding up his letter to the Galatians, but why is he making such a point of the fact that he is writing the letter himself and in large letters? Remember that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” might be an eye problem, and that he even mentions that earlier in Galatians. If Paul is suffering from an eye problem, it makes sense for him to write in large letters so that he himself can read it. Paul also wants the Galatians to know that HE has written everything, and that some secretary has not taken liberties with what he wants to say.
“Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.”
At this point, many Jewish leaders are siding with the Romans in an effort to suppress Christianity. By convincing the Romans that this new sect is a threat to the stability of the Roman Empire, the Jewish leaders hope to wipe out the Christians. Paul is writing to the Galatians because Judaizers within the fledgling Christian church are trying to force new Gentile believers to undergo circumcision. These Jewish sympathizers are hoping to report that they have convinced large numbers of male Gentile believers to undergo circumcision, thereby currying favor with the Jewish religious establishment and by extension, with the Roman hierarchy. These false teachers want to have a foot in both the Christian and Jewish camps in hopes of avoiding persecution.
“But as for me, 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. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.” Here Paul boldly states the bottom line for this entire letter to the Galatians. In your quest for holiness, don’t become distracted by traditional practices but realize that holiness is a matter of the heart.
What does Paul mean when he says, “through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world?” We must take those things that draw us away from God and refuse to have anything to do with them, mentally and emotionally nailing them to crosses so that we will not be tempted to indulge in them again. At the same time, we must be careful to please God rather than people, for there will always be those with hidden agendas, itching to add us to their list of successful converts to their position. If we are to be new creations in Christ Jesus, we must leave all these other things behind, seeking only for God’s perfect Will for our lives.
“Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.” Why does Paul close with this statement? Paul wants to go on record as wishing all believers well, whether they come from a Jewish background or from a Gentile one. By using the phrase “the Israel of God,” Paul affirms that God’s hand remains on Israel and that God has sent His Son, Jesus, the Messiah, to redeem all the people of the world.
What do these last verses of Galatians teach us? Many times, various Christian groups will encourage believers to engage in various practices. While these practices are not harmful in themselves, they can become a stumbling block when believers are more concerned about observing rules and regulations than they are about pleasing God.
Jesus himself said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) As we prepare for Christmas, let’s remember that trees and presents and decorations and gatherings are nice, but the most important thing we can prepare is our hearts.
PRAYER: THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE E.S. Elliot
1 Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
2 Heaven’s arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
3 The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
In the shade of the forest tree;
But Thy couch was the sod, O Thou Son of God,
In the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
4 Thou camest, O Lord, with the living word
That should set Thy people free;
But with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
They bore Thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.
5 When the heavens shall ring, and the angels sing,
At Thy coming to victory,
Let Thy voice call me home, saying “Yet there is room,
There is room at My side for thee.”
My heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
When Thou comest and callest for me.
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