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Galatians 6:1 - 6:18
Paul is going to conclude this Message about those 'false brethren' who would cause
bondage, and to those Galatians who would 'allow' themselves to be taken in bondage. This
teaching by Paul still stands as a warning for Christians today. But not a warning for
fear, but in the love of Christ, as a 'new creature' in Christ, with 'liberty'.
In Luke 18 our Savior gave a parable about an unjust
judge, who feared not God, nor regarded man, who at first did not heed the widow's plea
for mercy against her 'adversary'. The judge, after a while finally gave in and helped
her; not for the 'sake of justice', but because the widow would keep troubling him if he
didn't act. Christ then said:
Luke
18:6 And the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto
Him, though He bear long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the
Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"
9 And He spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves
that they were righteous, and despised others:
God's elect are represented by the 'widow' in this parable, but the unjust judge is symbol
for one entrusted with the responsibility and authority over others upon earth, much as
Pilate was given authority, not of Rome, but by God's will. The self-righteous judge is
also a symbol for false teachers who spread 'leaven', or false doctrine. Exod.9 gives an
excellent example of how God sets up those on the earth over us, as Pharaoh's heart was
'hardened' against the children of Israel, all in order to show how God is The Ultimate
Power and Authority, even among those who think not to serve Him, but themselves instead.
So how does this tie in with Paul's Message? Those who
were pushing circumcision on the Gentiles at Galatia saw themselves in what light? They
obviously were setting themselves up as an authority over God by allowing their flesh,
which is Satan's kingdom, distort Christ's Doctrine. How is it today in many Church
'systems' of man? Paul knew the deceptions were to come among Christ's Body, and in
my opinion this is why he taught so strongly here in Galatians concerning 'bondage'. It
wasn't anger at Peter setting himself apart, no; Paul knew the Old Testament Message God
gave through His prophets about these 'crept in unawares' of his time, yet future, and
even now.
That same Message of deception, as taught from the Old
Testament prophets, is here in The New Testament also (see also 1 Tim.4; 2 Tim.3; 2 Peter
2:1; Acts 20:29-31; 2 Cor.11; Titus 1:10-14). And this is also why I
refer to the deceptions of today in these Letters; because 'spiritual harlotry' with the
things of the world is a MAJOR Message from GOD's Word to His People. Most 'baby'
Christians, whom I love with all my heart, would surely tremble if they really knew just
how deep the evil is in today's world, and the places where it is entrenched in our
society. Those deceived of Christ's are the result of being taught by those who refuse
Christ's command to Peter, to 'feed My sheep' (John 21). Christ meant that if you love
Him, you'll properly teach His sheep, The Body of Christ, regardless of whether His Word
is popular or not, or accepted.
We now conclude with this last Book of Galatians, and we
ask a Word of Wisdom in Christ Yeshuw'ah Messiah's Name, Amen.
Gal
6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted.
If
someone offended you, and they were obviously wrong and they know it, but they come to you
in sorrow, and humbleness, trying to make amends, who wouldn't or couldn't forgive them,
and love them as a fellow-heir in Christ? We are to 'restore' that one, uplift them,
letting them know that, hey... we are sinners too, and it could have just as easily
happened to us. But those who offend, without remorse, uncaring, what then? Well, you
don't have to put up with their haughty behavior, but one can still forgive, in hopes that
they will change. Otherwise, you're in for a roller-coaster ride with hard emotional
feelings against that one.
The word 'fault' here is 'paraptoma' in
the Greek meaning 'a side-slip (lapse or deviation), i.e. (unintentional) error or
(willful) transgression' (Strong's no.3900). There is a dividing line on the type of
'sin', such as murder and what not, but that involves punishment our Father commanded us
to carry out, yet we can still forgive their ignorance of following evil, even though
punishment must be carried out. So Paul's not talking about those really serious 'sins',
but little errors we all are guilty of at one time or another.
Gal
6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This word 'burdens' is the Greek 'baros', meaning 'a load, weight'
(Strong's no.922). So again, Paul's talking about little 'slip ups' our flesh makes us
fall into.
It can be assured, that if we go on a rampage against
others who occasionally do little slip-ups, we are setting ourselves up for God's hand in
punishment later. Isn't it embarrassing after rebuking someone for a sin that we find
ourselves committing later? What? Never happened to you, you say? Can't make me believe
it.
The flesh world wants us to think forgiving others is a
sign of weakness. It is...a sign of Strength, from Christ's Spirit dwelling in us! One
could even say, when we forgive others for little slips, we make room for our slip-ups to
come, for it's just a matter of time before it'll happen. How do we know when we are at
'fault', or others for that matter? Study God's Word, and you'll know, for 'sin is the
transgression of the law'.
Gal
6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself.
When someone comes into Christ's Body, setting themselves up in vanity and trying to be
something they're not, 'nip it in the bud', be quick and sure about it. Again, how do we
know when we are in the right to rebuke? God's Word is The Measuring Stick, God's Plumb
Line. As Christ said in Matt 5:30: "And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it
off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Our Lord was
referring to an evil one within the Body of Christ's members, not our flesh bodies.
Gal
6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in
himself alone, and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
This word 'burden' here is not the same as in Gal.6:2 which we just covered. This
word here is 'phortion' in the Greek, meaning 'a task or service'
(Strong's no.5413). The English word 'burden' used here between 2 verses is why it's
important for English speaking Christians to use a Strong's Concordance with Bible study.
Paul's saying do your 'own' work while here in the flesh
world. A sense of value and accomplishment always comes with doing your own work, instead
of letting someone else do for you all the time. For God's teachers of His Word, this
means do your 'own' work also. How many leaders in Christ's Church today allow the 'higher
critic' to determine what The Word says for them? Quite a few, quite a few. How many
Christians just 'believe' what they are taught by their Church leaders, without checking
them out? If your ear is starting' to itch because of that question, then you know it's
time to get into our Father's Word more, for yourself. Don't believe on man, believe on
Christ Jesus, for He is The Word of God (John 1).
Paul also refers to making sure your work fits 'The Plumb
Line' of Christ. That's how we 'prove' our own work. How do we know? The Holy Spirit as
Guide in our Father's Word, and striving to follow It is how we prove
our works. One who
refuses Christ and thus has no blessing of His Spirit, uses what as a 'guide' for works?
They use Satan's realm and spirit.
Gal
6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in
all good things.
This word 'communicate' is 'koinoneo' in the Greek meaning 'to share with
others' (Strong's no.2841). Share The Gospel if you've been 'taught'. Don't just sit
on It, expecting others to do your work for you. Appreciate what you've learned, and pray
for those who help teach you.
Gal
6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
As
Paul was saying in the previous verse about doing your 'own' work, if you don't do
anything for our Lord, having no 'works', what will you receive as reward?
"Well, I was just told all I've got to do is believe on Christ to be saved?",
some might say. Revelation 14:13 says our 'works' follow us to Heaven. What about someone
who just believes on Christ, and then goes about their daily 'rat-killin', thinking they
are justified? The second Chapter of the Book of James covers how our 'faith' in Christ is
nothing without 'works' to go along with that faith. Anyone can just 'say' they believe
and not mean it. To be in Christ is to have proof.
One who sticks to 'works' of the flesh will have no
reward, for the coming Kingdom of Christ on earth will not be a flesh Kingdom, but one of
Spirit. Christ warned us about building treasures up of the flesh, and not of His Spirit.
And where your 'treasure' is, so is your heart and mind also (Matt.6). Paul just gave us
the works of the flesh verses the fruit of The Spirit back in Galatians 5:19-22. We all
will be judged by those 'works' when Christ comes, whether they be of The Spirit, or of
the 'flesh'.
The warning from our Father about the fall of the Babylon
system is really going out strongly to the world today. At the same time, the evil in the
world is growing more also. The technology in the flesh is so fast paced now, in order to
'mask' the abominations really happening behind the scenes. Many good people can 'feel' or
sense something 'big' is getting ready to happen upon this ancient earth, but they haven't
prepared, not listening to our Father through His Son Jesus Christ. Many of those are
really engulfed in the world's images, and high tech craze, turning away from Christ for
the things that seem 'new' and modern.
Gal
6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not.
10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Our
'work' in Christ is a natural offshoot of our 'faith' in Him. That's why Christ taught us
that we shall know them by their fruits (Luke 6:44). How blessed those in Christ are, as
part of The Family of Christ. How will it be when our Lord and Savior finally returns, and
all the evil things are removed? That goodness to come through Him is our hope, but we are
to try our best in doing those works of good fruit today. So what if we must suffer these
times upon us today. Stay true to Christ, refuse the false messiah who comes before our
Savior's return, and you will have waited for Him in 'due season', the correct season of
His coming (see Matt.24; Mark 13, for the proper season of His return).
Gal
6:11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you
with mine own hand.
This remark by Paul is why many Biblical scholars believe that he had poor vision, and
that is what the thorn in his flesh actually was, even though it was from Satan's
messenger. The word 'thorn' there in 2 Cor.12:7 is 'skolops' in the
Greek meaning 'withered at the front, i.e. a point or prickle (figuratively, a
bodily annoyance or disability)' (Strong's no.4647). I tend to agree, for
one of the reasons being... this verse here by Paul.
Gal
6:12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to
be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
Paul's saying that these 'false brethren' were pushing circumcision on these Gentiles to
make themselves appear as an authority over them. Then they would suffer less by their own
Jewish brethren who refused Christ, unlike those who were strong in Christ, like Paul. It
was an attempt to blend the 'Jew's religion' with Christ, trying to make Christ fit
'their' order, instead of them holding to Christ's Perfect Order.
Is this kind of 'blending' going on in Christ's Church
today? For many, not all, but for many Churches, a major blending of the flesh
doctrines are being welded in, even doctrines which the non-believing Jews of Paul's day
were against.
Gal
6:13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire
to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
These Jews couldn't keep
God's Law before Christ either, as the examples from The Word are plentiful.
Self-righteousness and pride was their game on these Galatians.
Gal
6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
One
who is truly in Christ, understanding the position and value of the flesh compared to
Christ's Spirit, are very glad to know that the 'flesh' things are going to perish.
"Well how can that be, I mean we're still in the flesh, and God made us flesh didn't
He?" Yes, He did, and we each have a Mission in the flesh; but didn't you know that
He made us 'spirit' first, before He made us flesh? How did your 'soul' get into this
flesh? The 'flesh' did not enter the 'soul', or spiritual body. As our Father even told us
with the man Adam in Genesis 2:7, He breathed into the nostrils of Adam, and man became a
'living soul', in the flesh. To be in Christ is to 'remember' that time 'of old' with our
Father and His Son, not of flesh, but in Spirit.
I'm surprised at how so many who have faith in Christ can
admit their belief in a future Kingdom of Spirit through Christ, without the flesh, but
they can't understand how that Kingdom of Spirit, did at one time exist, before this flesh
age (see my Genesis Letters). This is how Paul can say that this world of flesh is
crucified to him, and he unto the world. The good things of this earth, setup by our
Father in the beginning, will remain (2 Peter 3, and look up 'elements' in the Greek).
Gal
6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creature.
To
be in Christ, with understanding of His future Kingdom upon this earth, and the type of
Kingdom It will be, is to be a 'new creature'. The things of this old flesh world will
just begin to lose our interest as we focus on this future Kingdom in Christ. Then all
those fancy things of the world become; "Oh yeah, that's a really nice sports car,
good workmanship and skillfully done, but... uh, I don't really need it." Fads of the
day just go out the window. Then it becomes so much easier to appreciate the really good
things our Father has given us in this life, things not built by man's hands. And we
become more focused upon the needs of others who are in a much worse state than us.
Gal 6:16 And as
many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the
marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen.
Those who love our Father and His Son, who have a close walk with Him, are the True Israel
of God. And that means all peoples, regardless of nationality or race, if...
we walk in Christ.
Paul is talking about the 'marks' (stigma) he received
from men as punishment for staying true to Christ, preaching His Word, and not being a
'man pleaser'. He gave us a clue as to his personal sufferings for Christ in 2
Cor.11:23-29. He was weary from his work in Christ, but he never gave up, regardless of
the punishment. What an example he set for us today, and especially in these times, yet,
Christ Jesus gave a better Example, being crucified on the cross for us.
We
are very close to Christ's return friends. His Kingdom everlasting is just around the
corner. But a false 'one-world kingdom' upon this earth must first try and imitate
Christ's True Kingdom. That false kingdom of the 'New World Order' is in the final stages
today. Many may be afraid to refuse the false first kingdom to be setup, wanting to
believe on the future false king messiah, just in case people like myself might be wrong
from The Word. Without doubt, a statement like 'Satan is going to claim he is Jesus', is
scary to them; why? Because they are listening to false leaders of men, and not our
Christ The Word of God. Those reading this now who can't tell, get into our Father's Word
for yourself. Believe on Christ, not man.
Peace to you in Christ
Jesus,
Dave Ramey.
Footnotes:
All references to "Strong's nos." are from Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance, PC Study Bible, Biblesoft, 1993-1996.
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