Year 3 Day 60

Year 3 Day 60 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Galatians 6


Message - Scott Woodburn
The Christian life is not like going to the gym. In such a place the focus is on our own self improvement, Vera might be struggling on the treadmill but that is no concern of ours. We are there to improve our own strength, our own fitness, our own body. But the Christian life is not lived in such isolation, instead we are to do good to everyone and especially the church (v10).


The letter to the Galatians finishes with such a reminder. If anyone is caught in sin the more mature Christian is to seek to restore the fallen brother. This should be done without arrogance lest the mature brother also fall (v1). Christians are to bear one another's burdens for this fulfils Christ's command for us to love one another (v2). As we live together in fellowship we are to put aside self-righteousness - the church is not the place for egos or superstars (v3). Indeed we are to pay attention to our own work and motives. We carry our own load and in this way it keeps us from snooping on the liberty of our fellow Christian (v4-5). We are to submit ourselves to the teaching of our leaders and we are to provide financial support to those who labour for the Lord (v6).


All of this stood in direct contrast to the impact of the false teachers. Their doctrine of self-righteousness produced envy, strife, bitterness, jealousy and gossip among the flock. Instead of bearing one another's burdens, Christians were always mindful of each other's failings and successes. The faith became a competition to be won and a ladder to be climbed. This has always been the result of false gospels. What is sown in the flesh always results in corruption (v8) but thankfully what is sown in the Spirit results in eternal life.


So the follower of Christ is to shun the works of the flesh and not grow weary of doing good (v9). I know we can grow frustrated when no one seems to notice the work that we do. At times the lack of encouragement can wound and our legs can grow weak when it seems all we hear is criticism, but again, brothers and sisters do not stop doing good to everyone and especially our fellow Christians (v10). In due time we will certainly reap a glorious harvest (v9b).


Galatians is perhaps Paul's earliest letter and he finished it in a Christ exalting manner. Those who insisted upon circumcision sought only to boast in the flesh (v13). They wanted a crowd gathered around them who once again had submitted to a yoke a slavery. Paul pointed in another direction. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counted for anything (v15). What really mattered was salvation and the new life it brought. Therefore Paul refused to boast in the flesh despite the fact that his body bore many scars and wounds from persecution (v17). Instead Paul boasted in the cross of Christ (v14).


Brothers and sisters, we bring nothing to the Lord that impresses Him. We do not work our way to salvation and we do not work to stay saved. When you are tempted to believe it is all about you, may you remember that it actually is all about Christ. He kept the law perfectly and became a curse for us. Through faith in Jesus we are declared righteous and as the Spirit works we are being sanctified. Let no one convince you that it is any other way. Salvation and sanctification belong to the Lord and in response we love and serve the Israel of God (v16).


The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. (v18)


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q60 How is the Sabbath to be sanctified? The Sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God’s worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy.
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