Devotional - Oct. 23, 2024

Scripture: Galatians 6: 14 - 16  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.  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.  Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

As Paul concludes the letter, he does so by expressing his personal perspective of life.  In coming to Christ, Paul realized all his self-aggrandizement is for not.  It does not help him in any way.  What does matter is what Christ did in his life.  What he received through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  When he, and for that matter we,  claim this truth (John 8: 31-32) concerning Jesus and believe in what Christ did on the cross, our lives change.  Paul realized that the grace and life Jesus proclaimed was a gift (Romans 6:23).  A gift that changed how he related to God, others, and himself.  All three are now in Christ (1 Cor 15:26-27) by way of His work on the cross and in so doing; the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  It is important to see in the text the words has been.  Paul doesn't do it.  It has been done for him by Christ and His work on the cross.  Paul now lives as a new creation in the Kingdom of God.  One cannot reach this state through worldly religious traditions (Romans 8:3).  By entering into this new creation, one enters into the peace and grace experienced by the people of God (New Israel -Gal 3: 28-29), Jew and Gentile alike.  It is interesting that we are often drawn to teachings that tell us we are incomplete rather than those that tell us we are complete.  The Judiazers, who infiltrated the Galatians church, played on folks' fears as a way of manipulating them.  We will talk more about that later, but for now focus on the words Paul gives you, peace and mercy.  God will lead you in this way (Ps 23) and I pray you receive it.

Pray with me.., Holy God help us to accept the work You did through Christ.  Work it deep in our souls, relieving much of the fear that is there now.  Hear us as we pray for our loved ones.  We ask Your blessing upon them and Your blessing on our church, so we can be the people You call us to be.  In Jesus name, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian