I have two goals for today’s devotion: 1) to finish Galatians and 2) to say my goodbyes. Let’s finish with Galatians first. Here is Galatians 6:11-18:
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Notice, Paul is actually writing, not just dictating this letter (or at least this conclusion). He summarizes this book in the statement “For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.” The Book of Galatians has taught, as one of my seminary professors, Dr. Stanley Toussaint, use to say, “Not only are we justified (declared righteous) by faith in Christ, but we are also sanctified (live and grow in our new position in Christ) by faith in Christ.” As a summary, false teachers in Galatia were trying to persuade the new believers to follow the Law. These false teachers were teaching that a believer needed to be circumcised. But Paul taught the Christian life is not about following the Law or being circumcised. The Law is a tutor that leads people to Christ (it is like a mirror). When you became a believer in Jesus Christ, God puts His Spirit into your heart, and you can now have an intimate relationship with Him. As Ephesians teaches, you have full access to the Father through the Spirit. Wow! He is our “Abba Father”. As Paul wrote, we are no longer under the Law, but now we are under grace. However, grace is not a license to sin. When we understand more of God’s grace, it motivates us to live a holy life. Christ is the only one who can truly bring peace and mercy into our lives. Our life is not about us. It should always be about Him “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” May Christ be paramount and preeminent in our lives each day!
Now, I will say my goodbyes. At the end of July, I will no longer be an employee at New Life Counseling Center, Inc. This is not a sad departure. I was hired to do a specific job, and through the blessings of God, the job is complete. If you would have told me what God has done at New Life in the last year before I started, I would not have believed you. However, He has been so faithful. I know that many of you have prayed, and I want to say thank you. I want you to continue to pray for New Life that God will continue to lead and provide for New Life. I will be going back to teaching math. Please pray for me that I will be a great teacher and a great witness at SLHS. Thanks for taking the time to read these devotions each week. May God richly bless you as you serve Him! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen!