OUR FATHER WHO CANNOT BE MOCKED

Galatians chapter 6 concludes the apostle Paulˋs letter to the Galatians. Having explained to them that they must avoid walking in the flesh and instead, walk in the spirit, Paul then explains how to deal with someone in the midst who trips up and walks in the flesh.

He prescribes that those who are in the Spirit should gently restore the one who has walked in the flesh but cautions the spirit lead people that proximity to activities of the flesh can tempt them to step down into fleshly living.

Paul then establishes a principle to be followed by those who walk in the Spirit and that is that they must be self-sufficient and self-regulating but must also keep watch over their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul also established that even as they walked in the Spirit, if they benefitted from any of their brothers or sisters, they should should freely recompense them with good things to register appreciation and acknowledgement of the value they have received. This principle is an extention of the principle of sowing and reaping where believers who sow into the lives of others would reap their appreciation and get the credit that God issues to those who sow as they play out the life of the Spirit.

1 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.

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

As his letter ends, Paul comments on the oversize font he was using to write to them likely as a revelation of his failing eyesight and he recapitulates his opposition to the false doctrine that they had entertained from people who had gained accolades from their pursuit of the law (as well as avoided persecution) and thus these people were trying to induce the Galations to follow their example.

Paul intructs them not to capitulate to the false doctrine but to do as he did and boasted only in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ because they were new creations in Christ.

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 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 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.

Paul, now weary of the struggle, requests that he not be troubled with problems having himself already absorbed a large amount of physical punishment for the gospel but he finalizes his letter by blessing the Galatians as his brothers and sisters with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

1