Galatians 6:1-18

Summary
In today’s reading, Paul encouraged believers to bear each other’s burdens being good examples of our Lord Jesus who bore the burden of the entire world. He mentioned that the spiritually mature amongst them should cautiously reinstate the weak in their midst.
He clearly sensitized them on the issue of circumcision; he told them not to be deceived by men, explaining to them that they do not need to be circumcised to validate their faith. He said those who mandate circumcision as a qualification do so because they are trying to escape being persecuted for their allegiance to the cross of Christ. In other words, they are two faced and merely religious. Paul emphasized that as long as they were truly born again; their new creation status is enough qualification as true children of God. Their confidence should not be in their flesh but rather in Christ Jesus.

Life application
It is our responsibility as Christians to pray and support the backsliding amongst us. Through prayers, counselling, empathy and not criticism, we can cautiously bring them back on track.
Truly we live in a world blinded with religion; we must check ourselves daily to see if we are being led by the word of God and not by the dictates of the world. In this dispensation of grace there’s no segregation in the kingdom of God as long as we have accepted the Jesus as our Lord and saviour, we are part of God’s family. We have been saved by grace, not by the law.

Personal declaration
I declare I live by the dictates of your word only.

Reading – Galatians 6:1-18

Doing Good to All

6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Not Circumcision but the New Creation

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh 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 keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[b] the Israel of God.

¹⁷ From now on, 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 and sisters. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. Galatians 6:14 Or whom
2. Galatians 6:16 Or rule and to