Yesterday our pastor finished a series on the book of Galatians, discussing 6:11-18. There were many great points but what amazed me again was Paul's attitude to the world. It also seems that this is the pastor's attitude toward faith as well.
Paul describes in v.14 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The world was crucified to Paul, and Paul was crucified to the world. This is a strong language that I don't believe many people can say today.
At the outset, Paul says that he can only boast in the cross of Christ. That is to say, he has no achievements to brag about, as we know from Philippians 3 all of his achievements he considers rubbish. But what he boasts about is the achievement of Christ on the cross, the only thing that he counts as having any value in his life.
Because of this, Paul has left the ways of the world he considers himself dead to the world. He has taken the way of Christ and seeks to use all his life for Him. He is dead to the world, or he has been crucified to the world, the language that identifies with Jesus' death. Paul is following Jesus in symbolic form speaking as if he has been literally crucified, he has been Spiritually crucified so that he can give his life in ministry for Christ.
Then Paul explains why he has taken this path. He has departed the ways of the world, and he has departed Judaism for the Christian faith. He no longer promotes the customs, traditions, or sin sacrifices of his former way of life. This is symbolized by the circumcision that every male baby underwent to identify with the Jewish faith. It was a faith that looked forward to the Messiah, and yet it was deadening because no one could keep the law completely. But now the Messiah has come in Christ.
Instead of the deadening pursuit of righteousness from seeking to keep the Mosaic law, Christ offers us his righteousness by grace if we shall only receive it. If we accept his grace we receive his righteousness and thus salvation. This leads Paul to say in v.15 - "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." This is the key to the Christian faith, a new spiritual regeneration, new life in the Spirit from the grace of Christ.
The pastor explained how this is the most important part of any person's life, finding new life in Christ. The graduating seniors from high school, college, and graduate school can all look at their accomplishments and know they've done well. But receiving the new life in Christ is the only really important thing we can boast about, as it comes from the cross of Christ.
This is what the message of Galatians is all about. We cannot find the life of Christ from self-righteous works of the law, but only through faith in his righteousness. We must accept his grace to have him. That's a great deal in every way. Amen.
FAITH TODAY: Galatians 6:15 - "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."
Paul describes in v.14 - "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." The world was crucified to Paul, and Paul was crucified to the world. This is a strong language that I don't believe many people can say today.
At the outset, Paul says that he can only boast in the cross of Christ. That is to say, he has no achievements to brag about, as we know from Philippians 3 all of his achievements he considers rubbish. But what he boasts about is the achievement of Christ on the cross, the only thing that he counts as having any value in his life.
Because of this, Paul has left the ways of the world he considers himself dead to the world. He has taken the way of Christ and seeks to use all his life for Him. He is dead to the world, or he has been crucified to the world, the language that identifies with Jesus' death. Paul is following Jesus in symbolic form speaking as if he has been literally crucified, he has been Spiritually crucified so that he can give his life in ministry for Christ.
Then Paul explains why he has taken this path. He has departed the ways of the world, and he has departed Judaism for the Christian faith. He no longer promotes the customs, traditions, or sin sacrifices of his former way of life. This is symbolized by the circumcision that every male baby underwent to identify with the Jewish faith. It was a faith that looked forward to the Messiah, and yet it was deadening because no one could keep the law completely. But now the Messiah has come in Christ.
Instead of the deadening pursuit of righteousness from seeking to keep the Mosaic law, Christ offers us his righteousness by grace if we shall only receive it. If we accept his grace we receive his righteousness and thus salvation. This leads Paul to say in v.15 - "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation." This is the key to the Christian faith, a new spiritual regeneration, new life in the Spirit from the grace of Christ.
The pastor explained how this is the most important part of any person's life, finding new life in Christ. The graduating seniors from high school, college, and graduate school can all look at their accomplishments and know they've done well. But receiving the new life in Christ is the only really important thing we can boast about, as it comes from the cross of Christ.
This is what the message of Galatians is all about. We cannot find the life of Christ from self-righteous works of the law, but only through faith in his righteousness. We must accept his grace to have him. That's a great deal in every way. Amen.
FAITH TODAY: Galatians 6:15 - "For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation."
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