Galatians 6:16-18
"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen," Galatians 6:16-18. We are wrapping up our study of the epistle written to the Galatian churches. God used Paul to write His inspired word. This is Scripture. It is forever settled in heaven. It means the same thing today as it meant when God gave it. The meaning and interpretation of Scripture does not change with time, or with the culture. God used Paul's passion to show His displeasure with the Galatians (Galatians 1:6-10). For all those who are preaching a false gospel, they are accursed by God. Some may ask the question, is God really angry at those proclaiming a false gospel? Isn't God loving and forgiving? "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginaitons, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren," Proverbs 6:16-19.
Proverbs 6:16-19 is a good description of someone who is proclaiming a false gospel. God is not just angry at them, He hates them with a heated anger. We are warned continually in the Scriptures not to give heed to doctrines of devils or put the traditions of men over the Scriptures. We are also warned that in the last days mockers will come. Who are these mockers, and what do they do? "But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit," Jude 1:17-19. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not," II Peter 2:1-3. Those proclaiming a false gospel are accursed by God. We are not to yoke up with them for any reason in any way when it comes to proclaiming the gospel or ministry. Someone who is accursed is someone who is excluded from the favor of God and devoted to destruction. This is in complete contrast with the end of the Epistle to the Galatians. Let us get into these last three verses.
"And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God," Galatians 6:16. Galatians starts out with certain people excluded from the favor of God. These people are known by what they teach, and by their walk. They are known by the fruit they bear. These in verse 16 are also known by their fruit. These in verse 16 are walking within the boundaries of Scripture. They are accurately proclaiming the true gospel. "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified," Galatians 2:16. In accurately proclaiming the true gospel they are pointing all to trust fully and only in Jesus Christ. They are proclaiming Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Sola Deo Gloria. They are proclaiming that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. Man has nothing to glory in. Man has no part in salvation, for someone to say that man has any part in salvation is to proclaim a false gospel. This is why distinctions are to be made on the doctrines of the bible. Some say that salvation is impossible apart from Christ, but then they also add works, which makes what they believe a false gospel. If anyone yokes up with those who are proclaiming a false gospel, you encourage them to continue proclaiming a false gospel (II John 1:10-11).
Those who are proclaiming the true gospel are not cursed, but are blessed. Peace and mercy in verse 16 speaks of blessings and every kind of good on all those who have been adopted by God. Those whom God has truly saved have Him for their protector, benefactor, and He is the object of their worship. The true gospel produces God centered worship, not man centered. I can understand Paul's detestation for the false teachers. Paul loved the Lord, and he loved the Lord's church. His life and his body were evidences of his love.
"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus," Galatians 6:17. The false teachers made unbiblical accusations against Paul. They were putting down on Paul and trying to lift themselves up. They were misrepresenting who Paul was, and what Paul believed. This was troubling to Paul, not so much for his own reputation, but for the furtherance of the gospel. Paul gave his all for the furtherance of the gospel. Paul was Kingdom minded. Paul even gave his body for the sake of the gospel. Turn to II Corinthians 11:16-31. "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," II Timothy 1:8-9. Turn to II Timothy 1:7-12.
The marks that Paul had were scars of service for His Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. These marks were incised or punched for recognition of ownership. Paul truly gave up all for the cause of Christ. He surrendered all. This is very convicting.
"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen," Galatians 6:18. Pual calls those who are walking according to the rule of the gospel, brethren. These are those who are of the same faith, a fellow Christian. This comes with distinctions. It is Paul's request that God would grant them grace. This is favor and goodwill of God and Christ as exercised toward men. We need God's grace to be with our spirit. Notice this word "spirit" is not capitalized. Here in context it is speaking of the rational spirit, mind, element of life, the understanding, intellect. May the Lord grant them grace to be settled in their minds of the truths of the gospel that they would not be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine that comes to throw them off course. Paul ends with the word "Amen". This means "so be it".
May the Lord grant us grace to examine our lives to see what kind of fruit we are producing, and that we would be grounded in the doctrines of the bible. Lord help us not to compromise, not even if our life is at stake. Thank God for the peace He gives us when He saves our souls. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Gloria.
