Week thirteen: 6.11-18 We walk in freedom because of Christ (review/overview)

Rev. Stanley L. Derickson Ph.D.

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11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

We all know that Paul had some physical impairment that caused him trouble over many years. It was not only a source of trial for him, but it is also a source of proof that the gift of healing was inactive even in His lifetime. He could not heal himself even though many were healed by the simple touch of a handkerchief that had been from him. Acts 19.12 "So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them."

Timothy was told to take a little wine for his stomach sake, thus there was a lack of healing with both men. I Tim. 5.23 "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities."

Paul also left Trophimus unhealed in II Tim 4.20 "but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick."

I have discussed this with people that believe in the gift of healing and they have never brought forth an argument for this. It may be that I usually tie this with the fact that in Mark, tongues is lumped with snakes and drinking poison, and since tongues and healing are normally joined at the hip little is suggested to counter the comments. Well, it might relate some to the invitation that I usually give at the end of my comments - to come to my city and empty the hospitals if they really have this gift. (Mark 16.17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.)

It seems he gives a last call to them to realize the reality of his effort, the depth of his love and the strength of his character as he attempts to draw them away from the false teaching and back to the truth of grace.

The word translated "large" relates to bigness more than to numbers, it relates to largeness geometrically as opposed to largeness arithmetically. A simpler way to say it would be volume as opposed to number of pages. I used to print very small before my computering days. I could jam more information on a page than most small font typewriters. I could do volume rather than numbers. When writing for myself, "volume" was my talent, when it was the ten page term paper due the next day, I could do "numbers" very well with my huge handwriting.

Paul has given his very best effort to convince them, he has even handwritten this large letter to them - most likely at the cost of great difficulty for those he was very concerned about.

Some quibble about what this large letter idea means, one translator makes it "See what large letters" to indicate the individual letter size rather than the whole of the letter. This will be covered a little more later.

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.

In Paul's day Christianity was viewed by most as a sect of Judaism. It was an upstart bunch of radicals that were following this radical Jesus. It seems from this verse that the Judaizers were attempting to avoid persecution as believers by making themselves look more like Jews - you know, they were trying to get under the radar screen of the persecutors. They were trying to blend into the woodwork. They were trying to avoid what certainly would come from those that saw them as followers of Christ.

This may well be the answer to several questions asked in this study relating to why the Judaizers were teaching these things.

It is easier to tack some simple belief on top of your Christianity to get along with the crowd - I won't take time to develop that one right now, but aren't believers doing the same thing?

When the Roman persecution really got under way the believers were taken before Caesar and told to worship him as god. It would be easy to say a few words in subservience to a worldly ruler - you know you aren't really worshiping Caesar; you really weren't setting aside Christ as they wanted you to do. Indeed, many believers did this very thing and rationalized their way to favor with the Romans. However, those that took this easy way out were not accepted by believers that knew it to be wrong. Many gave their lives for the Lord rather than diminish their testimony for him.

The avoidance of persecution should never be an influence upon our theology and belief system. I rather suspect that many allowed their system of belief to be bent during the Second World War since the religious system failed to raise warning or negativity against Hitler and his persecution of the Jews, or the many other atrocities that were carried out.

Indeed, the survival of these systems under his dominion seems proof enough that there was compromise of some sort.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

It seems that Paul thought the Judaizers were requiring circumcision, in part, so that they could have glory in their accomplishment. This would, I assume to be the accomplishment of making converts to their line of thought.

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.

Paul goes on to suggest that we should only find glory in the cross of the Lord. Nothing that we do in this life should be the focus, but rather the cross.

Application of this might run along the lines of a pastor that has pioneered a work, nurtured it and lead it into growth to a large number. He should take no credit but rather give credit to Christ for the church is His. It might run along the line of great authors that have reached millions with their books - however glory should be given to the Christ that allowed the production of those books.

He goes on to say that the world is of none effect on him and a rather interesting statement, that he is crucified to the world - dead, of none effect. He realizes that only the cross and Christ's work on it will last, and anything we might "accomplish" in this life will be lost. Remember, that few will remember you existed in a generation after your death.

This idea of dead to all but the Lord has real relations to our day. On an internet forum the subject of pastoral pay packages came up. There was no thought to sacrifice for your Lord, it was all about the pastor isn't a second class citizen and he should receive at least the average of his congregation’s income. Most were talking sixty thousand plus benefits as a minimum acceptable amount.

No concept of - let me live on less so we can give more to missions - you know - an example of how all of us should live, but rather, I should live as well as you do.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Again, he emphasizes the salvation of the soul - that important occurrence that changes the person, is the all including requirement. Circumcision or none - no matter, only the cross and the individual’s salvation.

That includes all that man tries to find favor with God with - no good works, no good life will do, only the cross.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Paul seeks peace and mercy for all that are in Christ. He adds an interesting phrase. "And upon the Israel of God." What does he mean by that? Is he suggesting some link back to Israel? Only the link that Christ is the blessing promised, He is the peace and He is only peace because of His mercy upon us.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

This seems to be a declaration that he has done his best with them and that he is finished trying to work with the situation - accept my word or reject it but don't bother me with it anymore. I know some pastors that know just how he felt at this point. They, like Paul had the marks of the Lord in their bodies.

I was asked to a missions conference in California and on the first night I found that the pastor had just resigned from his position. I talked with him about it for awhile and I asked him if he was glad to be leaving or if he had mixed feelings. He smiled and said that he was very glad to be moving on and that the ministry was finished. He explained that he had struggled with the people for years, trying to get them to mature in the Lord, but that little had been accomplished over the years.

He went on to tell me of some of the trouble he had with his deacons. Some had just been hateful to him, I won't go into detail, but hateful seems a very impotent word. One of them could deserve the terms very nasty.

You can do so much with a people before you have done all that you can - then it is time to move on to other possibilities.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.

If you look at Paul's other letters, you will know that this is a very abrupt ending. I believe the explanation of the previous verse is part of that shortness, but also we might realize that his physical problem, may well have made this large letter a real and heavy burden upon him - especially to pen it himself.

You don't think the added blessing of "grace" was a final nail in the coffin of the Judaizers do you? Just one last emphasis on grace as opposed to the law. I suspect that may have crossed their minds if it didn't Paul's.

The blessing being placed on their "spirit" may well be another measured comment to remind them one final time that it is the spirit that God wants to deal with, not the body - not that the spirit correctly matured won't control the body!

Amen, or so be it. It is closed. Not unlike the formula recent presidents and candidates have adopted, "and may God bless America." - well if they can say that to millions, why can't we talk about God in the schools might be a line of thought to pursue.

APPLICATION:

1. Do we add a little on top of our Christianity to blend into the crowd - INTO THE WORLD IS THE TRUE NATURE OF THE QUESTION?

2. In verse sixteen we see that Paul mentions Israel. He has just torn apart the line of teaching that the law is part of our work toward salvation, and has surely set the law aside in the people’s minds as having any importance, yet he brings Israel back into the picture.

Why? I suggest that Paul is still in these days looking for a restoration of Israel. In the book of Acts we see that he is preaching the kingdom in the closing days of his life. He seemed to be looking for the culmination of God's working with Israel - the kingdom. Acts 28.23 "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening." and Acts 28.31 "Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Quite the verses to consider after reading a book like Galatians that has laid the law aside, beat it a little and basically made it of no account.

He wasn't beating the law, but rather misapplication of it in the church. He knew that God was not finished with Israel; he knew that Israel still had an existence, and he knew that God wanted to finish His business with them. His preaching of the kingdom was in response to that belief and that commitment to his own people.

3. Okay, we have a strong doctrinal message, with a very abrupt end. How do we apply this? Okay pastors, one more time, say what ya got tu say and shut up :-) I love writing for the internet where people understand informality and a sense of humor - pastors - I mean you no disrespect, I have tremendous respect for you and your ministry - just wish you'd shorten things up now and then :-)

This especially in invitations. I've seen guest speakers give an adequate and stirring invitation, only to have a pastor get up and give another one or two just in case the Holy Spirit was slow in moving the people in their hearts.

On a more serious note. I've seen many men say what they had to say and perceiving they may not have convinced the people set out with more rhetoric to make things better, only to lay further ground work for doubt. If you don't get it accomplished the first time, you probably won't get it done the second or third time.

I feel some speakers forget that the Holy Spirit is within, and that these people in the pew actually can think. Some of the explanations of doctrine I hear are geared to three year olds, not adults.

4. Barnes makes a good list relating to the glory of the cross.

"(1.) of the love of Him who suffered there;

"(2.) of the purity and holiness of his character, for the innocent died there for the guilty;

"(3.) of the honour there put on the law of God by his dying to maintain it unsullied;

"(4.) of the reconciliation there made for sin, accomplishing what could be done by no other oblation, and by no power of man;

"(5.) of the pardon there procured for the guilty;

"(6.) of the fact that through it we become dead to the world, and are made alive to God;

"(7.) of the support and consolation which goes from that cross to sustain us in trial; and,

"(8.) of the fact that it procured for us admission into heaven, a title to the world of glory. All is glory around the cross. It was a glorious Saviour who died; it was glorious love that led him to die; it was a glorious object to redeem a world; and it is unspeakable glory to which he will raise lost and ruined sinners by his death. Oh, who would not glory in such a Saviour!"

5. In verse seventeen Paul makes mention of the marks in his body. This is the Greek word stigma, the word "stigmata" is from. You may have heard this term in relation to the Roman church. They believe that Christ puts His marks on the bodies of special ones in this life. Every now and then you will hear reports of bleeding hands, or bleeding sides, or bleeding foreheads from the wounds of the crown of thorns on Christ's brow.

This IS NOT what Paul was talking about. There is no basis for any of this in Scripture. A general reading of this passage cannot come to the conclusion that Paul was bleeding all the time he was writing and doing as he did day in day out.

In reality slaves were often branded and idol worshipers often took upon themselves the name of their God to show devotion.

Paul may have been relating to physical scars he had suffered due to his stand for Christ. It is not uncommon for men to be glad that they have scars to remind them and others of their devotion to something or someone. Men from the wars of recent generations wear their wounds proudly and well they should. They have served their country well in its defense.

6. Barnes elaborates on Paul's physical infirmity by quoting the two references that mention it, though I had never heard the Galatians text tied directly to the infirmity.

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7.

"And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." Galatians 4:14,15.

"ST. PAUL'S infirmity was one well known in hot climates, a chronical ophthalmia. Hence he was what is called "blear-eyed," and was often perhaps obliged to wear a shade. It made his personal appearance mean; it was a visible infirmity in his flesh; it hindered his usefulness, and therefore he besought the Lord anxiously that it might depart from him. It made it, for the most part, painful and difficult to write; hence he generally employed an amanuensis, and regarded it as a great matter when he used his own pen. The calling it "a messenger of Satan" is perfectly consistent with its being a bodily disease. Satan, in fifty places, is represented as the immediate author of corporeal defects and maladies."

He goes on to suggest that this may have occurred on the occasion of his salvation experience when he was blinded. To suggest that such a physical impairment could accompany such a spiritual repair at first seems inconsistent, though it may be that Christ wanted him in a humble and contrite spirit both physically and spiritually.

Barnes also mentions that this particular eye problem gives forth with much pain and it is similar to the sticking of a thorn.

7. Some suggest that Paul's mention of big letter relates to writing the ending only in his own hand and because he could not see well unless the letters were huge.

Others suggest that the apostle was not acquainted with writing in Greek so that the letters were large and crude. Neither of these are supported in the text to any degree.

8. This idea of works and the cross might be summed up in the following thought. To accept the cross is salvation, to take up the cross is living. Two very separate and different items.

To accept there is nothing to do, but to take up there is everything to do. Christ supplies all that is needed in acceptance, and we supply all that is needed in taking up. Neither is required. Acceptance increases greatly your enjoyment of eternity, and taking up the cross will do the same through the rewards that you may receive.

9. I might add a short note about letters, letter writing and letter reception. To many of our teenagers that have never received a letter, these things of antiquity were once prized for their interest and content. In today's email, text messaging, and instant messenger messages, we have totally lost the art of letter writing. Many today have no idea of what letters were like in the good ole days - back when the computer was still a figment of someone's imagination.

A letter took time, you had to think of what you wanted to say, you had to think of how you were going to say it, you then had to write it down on paper, then reread what you had written and assure yourself that it was clear as you have presented it.

In an email you may or may not go through some of these processes. Usually you just jot down what comes to mind and you hit send.

When I was in the Navy at electronics school I would go to the post office to check my mail daily, even at times twice a day - not that there was ever any there for me. The letter was very important to me - to hear from someone that I knew and cared for. The letters usually, when they came, contained information of what was going on at home, how the family was doing etc.

Letters in the old days were of great interest and of great importance. Many today miss that personal contact from the mail as opposed to the cold quickness of the internet.

Paul's letter must have meant a lot to these folks. They knew him and would have been concerned for his welfare; they loved him because he was their spiritual father. This letter had to have been a mixed blessing, the goodness of hearing from their Paul, but the discomfort of being reprimanded by him.

Application of this might go along the following line: Continue to write letters or emails, but give a little more thought to the content and the way you word things. May our communications with one another be more meaningful and personal.

10. Verse thirteen mentions that those requiring circumcision did not necessarily follow the law in other areas. You do what I say, but I do what I want might be the idea set forth. Often you will see this inconsistency in leadership.

Years ago we knew of a church where the pastor decided it was wrong to watch television. He preached often on the sins of television. He even had some of the members selling their television sets - of course they used the church bulletin board for advertising - I won't go into that for the purpose of this account is to let you know that of course the pastor needed to watch television so he would know what was going on in the world.

Yes, to a point he is right, but isn't he questioning the congregations ability to discern as well as he can?

Many in the "God wants all believers to be rich" movement try and try to give until they are rich, but it is usually only the leadership that gets rich, not the average congregant.

If you are going to teach something, be sure you are willing to live by the same standard that you set for others.

11. In verse fourteen we read "by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." - a strong declaration by Paul, a declaration of fact, not hope so, not I think so, but fact.

Some would argue that, no, Paul could not mean that the world was crucified; he only meant that each morning he crucified the world. This is not the thrust of the text. The verb is a perfect passive. Perfect means an action that is continuing on into the future to a point of completion. He is crucified today, he will still be crucified tomorrow and he will always be crucified until he is with the Lord. Passive means that the person acted upon is not involved in the action. He is crucified from without, not of his own will, nor of any works of the mind.

This really does not fit with a lot of theology around today in case you don't know. Most feel the old nature and the new nature are battling it out daily and often during the day. Others clarify it a little and say that it is self or the old nature battling with the Spirit of God. This is closer to the truth but yet far from it. If we are made new as the Word tells us we are, how can we have old within us.

Our bent as human beings is to satisfy ourselves. It is this bent that struggles for control of the persons life. We either choose to follow the Spirit with our life, or we decide to follow our own wants and desires.

This passage tends to indicate that once made this decision is carried along - this is what Paul talked about earlier - walking in the Spirit. When we make that decision the Spirit then moves us along with Him. This supports my thought earlier in the book that we should ask the Spirit for guidance in those pop up situations where we have to make a snap decision. If we are with the Spirit and make a decision based on what He is doing in our life, then it will be a good decision. On the other hand if we are doing what we want we often will make decisions that take best advantage for our own desires rather than what God might want.

As we come to a close in our study I would like to consider the freedom we have in Christ, the freedom that Paul sets forth so clearly. Just a little consideration of what "free" really means. It means to me that we are free to do as we will, and that we are free from the Mosaic Law. There is further application that we are free from any set system of doing or thinking that is required for salvation in the person's mind.

Now, that we are free from all these encumbrances, we are free to do as we please, right? Not quite so fast. We are free from what we have listed but we are not free from all those things that Christ told us to do. We are not free from caring for the poor, we are not free from the great commission - to evangelize the world, we are not free from loving one another, and we are not free from any of the New Testament commands and limitations placed on the believer.

We are free to submit ourselves to the control of the Spirit, we are free to offer ourselves on the alter of sacrifice of service; we are free to submit ourselves to the Master and Owner of our lives. In truth complete subservience to Christ is where we find freedom as believers. We don't have to follow some magical formula, we don't have to follow some list of laws, and we have only to follow the Spirit within us to a life of service to our King.

Some would call this servitude, slavery or something worse, but the apostle tells us this is freedom in Christ. I will take Paul's view as I believe via inspiration; it is indeed God's view.

I know many Christians that live their lives not doing certain things because they think if they do, God will get them. Not so. We are free to walk with Him and within that framework we are free to do all that we want and all that He leads us to do.

To me this life of not doing is a life of fear, not of freedom. It leads to viewing God as one that is out to get you if you don't tow the line. Paul describes a God that loves us and wants us to walk with Him.

Kind of like God walking in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. Contemplate that scene, that experience, that possibility. Walking and talking with God as if He were a close friend. That is what we are free to do. That is what Paul seems to describe in his letters. That is what we have available if we will only make that decision to walk in the Spirit.

It gives you freedom to talk to Him at any time, about any topic, and about any need. We don't have to take ten minutes relating our sin, our sorrow and seek His forgiveness, we have nothing to confess, we have been walking with Him and He has certainly not led us into sin.

We can know that decisions we make are with His assistance because we have been with Him all the time. Freedom to some may be servitude, but to me it is pure pleasure, pure freedom to know I am doing right before my God.

Before leaving this book I would like to take a look at one point that is really only loosely related to the book of Galatians, but very related to Paul and his life. He was totally committed to the ministry even before he was saved. He was totally committed to persecuting Christians, then after salvation he was totally committed to the Gospel and its cause.

We saw a number of times that Paul mentioned the cross and his commitment to it. There are a number of times in the other epistles that show us that his commitment was totally real and totally total - he was given over to living for and serving his Savior.

Now, to the application. Many men and women in every generation have made this same commitment. Some have totally given themselves over to serving God and His people. They have committed their life, their fortune (which normally is in the unearned stage :-) and their time to doing what God has given them to do. These people left all that they could be and became what God asked them to become. Missionarys, pastors, teachers, doctors nurses and many other occupations. They have gone off to Bible College and/or seminary to learn what they need to do the ministry of God.

Now, I wonder if Paul ever stopped to consider his life on some starry night in the middle of nowhere, just what his life had been all about. Or maybe on one of those dark cold nights in prison after praying, I wonder if he took stock of what he had been all about. I am not suggesting he questioned his God, God's direction, nor God's plan for his life. I am not suggesting that he regretted in any way what he had done with his life.

Just wondering if he ever considered what had passed. What he had not accomplished for himself - his desires, his plans, and his wishes for life. What might have been had he not been started down that spiritual path. Would he have become a great philosopher, a great orator, a great politician? Would he have become involved in marriage, had a family, raised grand kids?

I raise this question, because I know for a fact some modern day men/women of God go through these questions. They aren't regretting their decisions, they are not questioning God, nor are they doubting the life that they have lead. They just take a little time to wonder what might have been.

I raise the question to set some minds at ease. You aren't the only one that has gone through this process even though you most likely have gone through it alone or maybe with a loving spouse.

What you have done is not wrong, I think it is probably natural as long as it doesn't come to doubt or questioning of God's ways in your life.

I don't think many that go through this process do much more than do it and dwell on it for contemplations sake and them move on to realize the glorious life that God has allowed them to lead. It is not an earth moving experience, just some realization of what is.

I doubt I am doing this topic due service. I trust there is some encouragement in this for some that have taken this journey.

I think these thoughts often rise when we talk to someone or see a television program that jogs our minds to think for a moment. Most high school graduates have thoughts of grandeur and dreams, and wishes that they want to fulfill, yet these folks that I am speaking of set all those items aside and follow their Lord.

It has been my observation that God directs many things along life's path and many of these youthful desires come to pass in your life even though you are serving Him. Many that wanted families have had great families in the process. Others that have had desires of other things have found that God allows those items to fall into place along with the things He wants accomplished.

I think there is also a truth in that some that had those great dreams couldn't have accomplished anything had they been left to their efforts; but on the other hand, God has taken those lives and allowed those to accomplish great things in the spiritual realm. What a joy for those to know that God picked them to do great things for Him.

The key in all of these lives is that God is in control, and that God has their full commitment for all that He desires for them to do. The cross was Christ's grand work, what might be yours. Don't ever allow thoughts of what might have been to interfere with what might be. We can't change the past, and often can't change the present, but we can - with God's help do grand things in the future.

While considering what might have been, time must be given to what is - what you have been able to do for God. Consider well that there are many things that you have accomplished that you may never hear about until eternity. That young child you led to the Lord in Sunday school class - you have no idea what that child grew into as an adult. That person you helped along side the road and left a tract with - you have to let God decide what is to come of that. You have no idea what might be accomplished through your little effort.

One must wonder just how many people's lives were changed by this letter to the Galatians. Both to the original readers and to those through the centuries that have been blessed by it. Paul exerted great effort to write the letter and left the results up to the One that directed his course. It might be observed that he had no idea that anyone but a few believers of his own day would read it.

Imagine Albert Barnes and other great commentators - they wrote for their own readers not knowing that anyone else outside their generation would have an interest. Barne's Notes has become a standard in conservative circles - someone to check when wondering about your line of thought.

Now, in conclusion, remember these final thoughts just set down are actually describing the freedom in Christ that we have. What more could we want in life? How can a grand house compare with that? How can the finest SUV stack up to that? How can popularity and position match the position we have in Him? How can riches in this life outweigh the rewards in the next for all eternity?