March 31 - Galatians 6:11-18

March 31 - Galatians 6:11-18

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

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. 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. 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.

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

In Paul’s day, many letter writers used an ‘amanuensis,’ a secretary, to write their letters for them.  The secretary’s handwriting was careful so that it would be easily read by anyone who was exposed to the letter.  Paul wanted the Galatians to know that since he was writing this with his own hand, the words he wrote and the feelings that he had were important.  He couldn’t trust this to anyone else.  What great passion he had for this church.

Sometimes it is difficult to understand all that Paul wants us to do.  We don’t worry so much about circumcision, nor do we actually worry about the Law. Those things were settled centuries ago.

However, if you spend a little time, you come to know that this does make sense in our world.

How many of us worry about what others will think of us if we skip a few Sundays at church.  We’re pretty sure that there will be gossip couched in terms of worry and concern. Many times we make decisions about our faith based on our need to impress our peers.  This can apply whether we go to church or not.  If we attend worship regularly, we aren’t likely to let our friends there know that we have deep questions regarding whether God is real or not and any number of other things that seem to be assumed by our Christian friends.  If we don’t attend worship anywhere and surround ourselves with like-minded friends, it isn’t likely that we will stand out and say that we have a strong faith in God.

Paul’s admonition to us as he closes the letter to the Galatians is that we should listen to our heart as it reaches out to God.  We aren’t called to be Christ-followers so that we can fit in with the Christian crowd.  We are called to Christ because in Him we can be made new.  Christ’s death and resurrection offered to the entire world an opportunity for re-birth, re-creation, renewal of life.