“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.” Galatians 6:14-15
Only through faith in Jesus Christ and His cross can we sinners be saved. Being circumcised or uncircumcised will avail us of nothing before God. What matters is being regenerated by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word and brought to faith in Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the world’s sins.
Grant that I trust in You alone, O Lord, and not look to the corrupt works of my flesh but to that which You work in me through the hearing of Your life-giving Word. Amen.
“As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.” Galatians 6:12-13
Rather than trusting solely in Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life in communion with God, many would add being circumcised or worshiping in a certain way as necessary to be acceptable to God and to obtain His grace and favor. Rather than suffer persecution for holding fast to Christ and His redeeming work, they set aside God’s grace in Christ and glory in their own faulty works of the flesh.
Grant, O Christ, that I trust solely in You and Your sacrifice for sin and not add to Your finished work reliance on the flawed works of my flesh. Amen.
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10
Though it may seem at times there is little reward in doing what is good and right as we watch others prosper in this world, the Word of God assures us that we shall reap the rewards of our service to Christ in due time, provided we do not give up and turn back into unbelief and sin. Therefore, God would have us use the opportunities He gives us to do good to others and especially to our fellow believers.
O gracious God, grant us the faith to believe that You will, in due time, reward us for our service to You so that we do not give up but continue to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness and life and, as a fruit of our faith, do good to all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8
Just as one cannot plant weeds and expect to grow wheat, so we cannot sow to the sinful longings of our flesh and expect to harvest anything but sin and death. God will not be mocked. If we live our lives giving in to the inclinations of our fallen nature, we will reap what we sow — spiritual corruption and eternal death. On the other hand, if we live our lives providing opportunities for the Holy Spirit to work in us through the reading and hearing of God’s Word, we will reap, of the Spirit, everlasting life!
Grant that I do not sow to the sinful longings of my flesh but to Your Spirit, O God, that You may produce in me true faith in the promises of Your Word and eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus, my Savior. In His name, I pray. Amen.
“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” Galatians 6:6
God commands those who are taught the Word of God to support those who faithfully teach it (cf. 1 Cor. 9:14). People will reap what they sow. If they fail to support those who teach them God’s Word and watch over their souls, their teachers will have to forsake their God-given work to labor for their own support, and their hearers will suffer.
Grant that I so love Your Word, O Lord, that I support those who faithfully teach it. Amen.
