CONCLUSIONS

One of the basic rules for public speaking is that you should get up and tell the people what you are going to say, then say it, and then tell them what you have said. That is what Paul does in Galatians. After a brief introduction in the first part of chapter 1, he speaks out on the problem of legalism in all of its various forms.

Now that he has come to the end of his epistle, he gives a brief summation of all that he has said. We could entitle these verses: "The Reader's Digest Version of Galatians." It will be outlined in five points.

As we read through this section, it is very clear that verses 12-17 form a literary unit. These verses deal with the subject of motivation. But how does verse 11 fit in? What does Paul emphasize the fact that he has written this epistle in his own hand? Is this merely a commercial break? Did ne need to catch his breath before completing the epistle? Not at all.

This seems to be a reference to Paul's handwriting. Why should the fact that Paul wrote this letter by hand and used large letters be of any particular significance?

Paul's usual habit was to dictate his epistles to a secretary. Then at the close of the letter, Paul would sign his name and write the closing salutation.

• I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. (2 Thessalonians 3:17).

But this time Paul does something different. This time he writes the entire epistle in his own handwriting. It may have been that Paul's handwriting was not very good. I have friends who write so poorly that it is easier for me to read their Hebrew than their English. It might have been because of his poor handwriting that he wrote with such large letters.

It has also been suggested by some commentators that Paul suffered from poor eyesight. They take the reference to his "bodily illness" in Galatians 5:13 and their willingness to pluck out and give to him their own eyes in verse 15. If this is correct, then it is conceivable that Paul suffered from a visual ailment that made it difficult for him to write clearly.

But what has this to do with the remaining verses of Galatians? It has everything to do with it. Paul is going to be comparing his motives with those of the Jewish false teachers.

This is not a doctrinal research paper. It is not a light devotional. It is not a sugary sermon for sugary saints. It is a letter from Paul's heart. You do not write this kind of letter through a secretary. This kind of letter is too personal for that. You might write this kind of letter by hand.

Even in his handwriting, Paul reflects the sacrifices that he has made for the cause of Christ. He isn't in it for the money. He isn't in it for the power or the fame. He is in it because he loves Jesus.

I think that there are a lot of people today who go by the name of Christian who fit into this category. They go to church. They say all of the right religious words. The wear the right clothes. But when it comes right down to it, they don't really love Jesus. Their motives lie along different lines.

1. An Fleshly Showing: Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh (6:12).

The Judaizers are very concerned that they look good. They want people to look at them and to admire them.

It is interesting that these are the same people who have accused Paul of seeking the favor of men (Galatians 1:10 - For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ). It is a trait of human nature that a person will tend to accuse others of the very sin of which he himself is guilty.

What bothers you about other people? What faults do you find yourself pointing out in others? What accusations do you commonly lay at the feet of others? Chances are that those are the very things of which you yourself are guilty.

2. An Fearful Compulsion: Those... try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ (6:12).

What moves you? What is it about the Christian faith that motivates you? If it is anything besides that which Paul describes here, then perhaps there is an imbalance in your life.

1. A Boasting in the Cross: But may it never be that I would boast (6:14).

• It represents the love of God.

• It represents the holiness and the justice of God.

• It represents the grace and the mercy of God.

• It is the one place where all of God's attributes come together and are manifested.

2. A Crucifixion to the World: The world has been crucified to me, and I to the world (6:14).

3. A Creation of God: Neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision (6:15).

• Because He is the Son of God, you also have become a child of God.

• Because He was crucified, you are considered to have been crucified with Him.

• Because He died, you are dead to the world.

• Because He rose again from the dead, you also have risen to a new life.

• Because He sits on the right hand of the Father, you are considered to be seated with Him in the heavenlies.

• Because He has eternal life, you also have eternal life.

4. Heavenly Citizenship: Peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God (6:16).

The Jewish false teachers have been glorying in their circumcision. They believe that this mark on they body sets them apart for God. But Paul says that he has a real mark of God. His is the mark of persecution. The very persecution that the false teachers seek to avoid has left its brand-mark upon Paul's body.

In the ancient world where slavery was commonplace, it was customary for a master to place a brand upon his slave. It was a mark of ownership. It marked that slave as the property of his master. No one else had the right to give orders to that slave. Only his master had that right.

In the same way, Paul tells those who are giving him a hard time that they are interfering with one who is the servant of God. That is a right that only God has.

There is a promise of protection here. If you are a Christian, then you have become the property of the Lord. He considers you to be His prized possession. He does not let anyone else mess with His possession. Are you going through hard times? Take heart! The God of the universe is aware of your situation. He cares. Stand tall. Be free.