"We see, in many a land, the proudest dynasties and tyrannies still crushing, with their mountain weight, every free motion of the Consciences and hearts of men. We see, on the other hand, the truest heroism for the right and the greatest devotion to the Truth in hearts that God has touched. We have a work to do, as great as our forefathers and, perhaps, far greater. The enemies of Truth are more numerous and subtle than ever and the needs of the Church are greater than at any preceding time. If we are not debtors to the present, then men were never debtors to their age and their time. Brethren, we are debtors to the hour in which we live. Oh, that we might stamp it with Truth and that God might help us to impress upon its wings some proof that it has not flown by neglected and unheeded." -- C.H. Spurgeon . . . "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31, 32 . . . . .

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Sunday, January 19, 2025

The G.E.P.C Study – GALATIANS 6: Part 2 of 2

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossi

A spiritual principle follows the same principle in the physical, and in particular, farming. Plant a lot of seed, reap a lot of harvest. Plant sparingly, reap sparingly. And in the spiritual domain, there’s no fooling GOD. You might fool your pastor, you might fool your church, you might even be able to fool your own family – possibly even your spouse.

But there is no fooling GOD. He sees all, He knows all. He’ll see to it that whatever we sow, we will harvest. If one sows to the Spirit, one will reap life everlasting; if sown to the flesh, one will reap corruption.

GALATIANS 6:7-9
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart
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So, may we be encouraged to do what’s right, sow to the Spirit – invest in your relationship with the LORD! Allow Him to do the work in you that He greatly desires to do which will bless you, and others, as well as bring glory to Himself (much deserved of course!). Even if we sow, and sow, and sow, and we’re not seeing a lot of results. No matter! Keeping going! The Scripture states that we “shall reap IF we don’t lose heart”!

There are lots of reasons why we give up in life, we quit because we are discouraged or overwhelmed. Remember: You can fail countless numbers of times. That doesn’t mean you’re defeated, if you – just – keep – going!! The only people who really suffer defeat are those who quit permanently!

Check out this video by IMPACT VIDEOS on What To Do When Spiritually Unmotivated (Seven Points) 16 min 6 sec.

Thomas Edison had the concept of a lightbulb in mind, all he needed to do was find the right materials to make it work. He had everything except the kind of filament that would carry enough charge to illuminate the bulb without the filament burning out.
Do you know how many different filaments he tried? Over three hundred! A friend of his admonished him to give up, it’s hopeless. Thomas’ response?

“Nonsense! I know that three hundred filaments don’t work – that frees me up to look elsewhere for the answer!”

Rocky Balboa had to remind his son about “life and how hard it can hit”. It was a good talk that we should all remember (the only caveat is the idea of “believing in yourself”. We believe in the LORD, and it isn’t inappropriate to believe in the skills and abilities that He has given to us).
Check out this scene between Rocky and Son! Both are examples of endurance – of perseverance.

GALATIANS 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith
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I recently watched a TikTok video where a young man has his own landscaping business. Somehow, he heard about a senior lady whose property was overgrown to the point where the city informed her, she needed to get it all cleared away, and if she didn’t, the city would charge her $250 for it to get done for her. She couldn’t afford that!

So, he showed up on her doorstep and informed her that he was going to get everything cleared away, free of charge! She was so overwhelmed by the goodness of this young man, she began to cry, and hug him, and thank the LORD. He did a magnificent job! But that wasn’t all!

The TikTok video went viral – over 100 million views! And people were so moved by the video and the heart of both this dear lady and this young gentleman, that they wanted to help her with her dilapidated house. In little more than 24 hours, $500k was raised!

The young man and his crew, along with other workers (carpenters, electricians, etc.) would visit her again in a couple weeks and renovate her house! And with the finances guarantee her years of landscaping services!
I don’t know if that young man is a Christian or not – but that’s a fine example of doing good to all (and especially one’s fellow Christians).

Someone once suggested that “I love you” is a phrase of such depth of meaning, but that another is just as meaningful, that is, “Let me help you.”

Imagine if all the world took to heart the words of JESUS! Like these:
MATTHEW 7:12
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

MATTHEW 22:37-39
37 Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Any Christian will tell you that “It’s good to be good!” Being good is in accordance with the very nature of GOD, Who alone possesses this attribute undiluted and pure. This is how we know that the LORD Jesus Christ was claiming Deity when the rich, young ruler called Him, “Good Master…” How did the LORD respond?
MATTHEW 19:17
So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God…
The rich, young ruler recognized that JESUS is good. The LORD pointed out that there is no one [really] good, except for GOD. In other words, identifying JESUS as good, is recognizing that He is GOD.

We know that life is fulfilling when we serve GOD’s purpose. When we are in one accord with His heart, then no matter how awful circumstances may (or may not) be, we are content, at peace, satisfied because we are in the will of GOD.

Years ago, the LORD led me to a specific Scripture in answer to the prayer I had just finished praying. The verse was an exact match to the inquiry I made of Him, and it was – and is a joy to follow His lead, knowing that I am in His will.

We know that once unrepentant sin (and sinners who defy GOD and reject the Gospel) is ultimately dealt with, and then death is abolished (1 COR 15:54-55), and all things will be made new, that the harmony GOD established upon the completion of the creation week will be restored.

No more evil and wickedness, no more sin and rebellion. Only goodness, kindness, love, peace and joy. There will be no such thing as strangers, much less enemies on that Blessed Day!

Such is not the case today unfortunately – but! We can put into practice these kingdom principles by not allowing ourselves to be influenced and affected by evil, but to overcome evil with good (ROM 12:21).

For all the good that we have received and continue to receive from the LORD, let us “pay it forward” to others – to the saints “the household of GOD” and to those outside. Even to our enemies!
ROMANS 12:20
Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.
What does it mean, “heap coals of fire on his head”? A couple of different views:

Some have suggested that when we return good for evil, the person receiving the gentle, kind, compassionate words and, or deeds in response to their evil words/treatment will have their conscience burning after the shameful way they treated the Christian.

Others point out that in Middle Eastern culture, people would carry burning coals in a clay bowl on their heads from one place to another so that another fire can be kindled (matches weren’t a thing back then). That in receiving hurtful words or deeds from one that considers themselves our enemy, we respond in blessing.

I think either view is good, personally.
MATTHEW 5:16, 44-48
16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 "Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
When we conduct ourselves differently than those in the world, we are in contrast to typical human (sinful) behavior. We stand out. We’re marked as different. Shining light in this way can attract those who are seeking for truth – as well as repel those who prefer darkness to light (JOHN 3:19-21)!

GALATIANS 6:11-13
11 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh
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There was a sense of urgency in writing this epistle to the churches of Galatia. How do I know this? Paul had, according to some ancient records, an eye problem, where it was difficult for him to see up-close (far-sighted). He usually dictated his letters. But it seems in this instance, no one was available, and that he couldn’t wait for an amanuenses to do the writing for him. He decided he would write the letter himself, which wasn’t a very long one, just four chapters worth. Yet he calls attention to “what large letters [he has] written”. Large letters in fact, because he couldn’t see all that well.

He was deeply concerned about their spiritual welfare:

GALATIANS 4:19-20
19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.


As we covered previously, these Galatians were teetering on the edge of falling into a legalistic state, falling back onto the Law for justification (which is impossible to do!).
So, this matter couldn’t wait!

But it wasn’t merely the fact that they weren’t depending solely on the grace of GOD through Christ and His atonement for salvation – sort of a mix bag of LORD Jesus and Law of Moses. It was also the fact that these Jews who converted to Christ were being heavily persecuted “for the cross of Christ” (GAL 5:11).

In the Jewish mind, any man who claimed to be equal to GOD would be committing blasphemy. And they are right – with One exception: the Word of GOD made flesh (JOHN 1:14)!

For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.”

Just as the Cross of Christ will bring a soul in humility to repentance, religion will encourage pride in self-achievement and self-worth. This is the “glorifying in the flesh” Paul is speaking about. This is also why the religious will eventually, always persecute the righteous. It happened as early as Abel and Cain, where Abel was obedient to worship the LORD GOD’s Way and Cain was intent on doing it his way. When Cain saw Abel’s sacrifice was accepted, and his own was not (GEN 4:5; HEB 11:4; 1 JOHN 3:12) – this resulted in his murdering Abel.

There is the body of Christ, those of us who are members of the ekklesia (“a called out assembly”), those who have been born again and see and enter into the kingdom of GOD (JOHN 3:3-5); then there is the world at large that the members of the church have been called out of.

We are to remain set apart, and if we find ourselves entangled in the world in any way with all of its lusts of the flesh, of the eye and the pride of life (1 JOHN 2:16), we are to come out from among them (2 COR 6:17). Being separated from the evils of this world and set apart for GOD In holiness (being Christ-like) is what sanctification is all about.

The church can’t mix with the world and all of its religious systems (contrived by Satan); the only churches that does so are Pergamos, Laodicea (REV 2:12-17; 3:14-22) and the Whore of Babylon (REV 17;18).

One day soon (and very soon), the church will hear the sound of the trump, and the dead in Christ shall rise first, then we who are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the LORD in the air (1 THESS 4:16-17). That will be the ultimate separation! And when the LORD comes back, He will effectively and permanently destroy this evil, rebellious world system (DAN 2:44-45).

Paul further elaborates his points by his relationship with the Cross and the world:

GALATIANS 6:14-16
14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God
.

Circumcision was a symbol of genuine faith (ROM 4:11), but the Jews in Paul’s day found that somehow, the very act of circumcision could justify a soul. In some ways, it’s similar to the Sacrament of Baptism in the Roman Catholic Church (and even among some of the more liturgical Protestant churches). Dunking a person in water doesn’t justify, any more than circumcising some flesh will.

ROMANS 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

ROMANS 4:11-14
11 And he
[Abraham] received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them [the Gentiles] also, 12 and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. 13 For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise [the Abrahamic covenant] made of no effect,

Paul emphasizes his value for Christ and His accomplishments on his behalf more than this own futile works:

PHILIPPIANS 3:7-10
 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 ¶ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Paul states that circumcision or the lack thereof doesn’t avail anything regarding the saving of the soul or one’s relationship with the LORD GOD. What does avail is faith in redemption by the blood of Christ, His propitiation and purchase (ROM 3:25) of us sinners from the Holy Judgment of GOD.

That redemption gives us a new heart (EZEK 11:19; 36:26), indwelt by the Spirit (ROM 8:11). It begins the process of renewing our minds (ROM 12:1-2). The seal of the Spirit on our hearts speaks of the promise made by GOD (EPH 1:13-14) for the redemption to be completed at the coming of the LORD when we receive our glorified bodies (ROM 8:23). We are members of GOD’s new creation! Indeed, the LORD will make all things new, just as He said He would (REV 21:5)!

This is a work of GOD, not a work of religious humanity! No religion can transform a person any more than dressing a dog up in a pig suit will change the nature of that dog into that of a pig!

Because this is a work of GOD, there is nothing we can boast about – nothing of ourselves or any religious accomplishments. Like Paul we can only boast in the Cross of our LORD Jesus Christ – what JESUS did for us, when we were powerless to help ourselves!

That same cross enables us to die to the “old man” (ROM 6:6) allurements, the attractions, the enticements of this world with all of its pleasures. This dying works both ways – as Christians we are done with this world, but the world is also done with us!

How many times I’ve had people with mournful expressions tell me that because I became a follower of Christ, that I’ve wasted my life! Or at most, they’ll smile politely and say, “Well, I’m so glad that it’s working for you!” Insinuating what they’re really thinking, “Better you than me!”
1 CORINTHIANS 4:12b-13
12 …Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.


The apostle compared how Christians “smell” to the world and to other believers of Christ:

2 CORINTHIANS 2:16
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life
“…as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God

We are afforded the immeasurable depths of the grace of GOD, and with that grace, there is also peace, and mercy. It’s all available to the child of GOD, as well as to the repentant sinner who turns to Christ. It’s available, but not necessarily experienced. I can have millions of dollars available to me in my bank account, but it’s not until I make a withdraw that it does me any good.

Accessing the grace of GOD and all the blessings inherent to it must be done firstly by faith, and then by abiding in Christ. He already abides in the child of GOD by virtue of the new birth. But that’s only the half of it. The other is that the child of GOD must abide in Him. How is this done?
JOHN 15:4-5, 7, 10-12
4-5"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. 11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
In order to produce fruit, the branch on the grape vine must draw all it needs from the vine – the water, and the nutrients the vine absorbs through the soil. Likewise, if we are to bear much fruit to the glory of GOD we must abide in Christ and draw from Him the source of Life (Abundant; JOHN 10:10b) that will bring the fruit into our lives. We do this as we consume His truth via the Holy Scriptures, by partaking of blessed fellowship in prayer, by yielding to His sweet influences in changing us more and more into His likeness, by submitting with a willing heart in the trials of life, by obeying His commandments: chiefly to love each other in the Spirit of Christ!

The apostle is addressing to different groups in regard to this grace: “…upon them…” that is, the saints as represented in the church as well as the saints which are members of “…the Israel of GOD”.

GALATIANS 6:17-18
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen
.

Adam Clarke gave a certain rendering of Paul’s words here:
“Put an end to your contentions among yourselves; return to the pure doctrine of the Gospel; abandon those who are leading you astray; separate from the Church those who corrupt and disturb it; and let me be grieved no longer with your defections from the truth.”
While the Judaizers were all about cutting foreskins in the act of circumcision, thinking that a Gentile must first become a Jew and follow the Law of Moses before becoming a disciple of Christ. This is flatly denied at the Council in Jerusalem. The elders there explained in a letter sent to the Gentiles (ACTS 15:24-29) that they don’t need circumcision or follow the Law to be justified in Christ. It should be noted that the Holy Spirit bore witness and confirmed the elders’ counsel for their advice to the Gentiles (vs.28).

Paul does authenticate his apostleship by the marks on his body, emblems of his faithful stand for Christ in the face of severe persecution. Some mystics believe this was a reference to the stigmata, a phenomena where the marks of Christ are manifest on a devout saint. There is no justification for such a view, when the plain answer points to the abundant scars on Paul’s body by brutal persecution (2 COR 1:5; 4:10; 11:23; GAL 5:11; COL 1:24).

So ends this study in GALATIANS as part of the G.E.P.C. series! Next up is the study in the book of EPHESIANS which we did already. So, I will post an article with the links to each teaching with a brief introduction.

Then we shall proceed to the book of PHILLIPIANS, and finally COLOSSIANS!

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