By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Galatians 6: 18 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers, and sisters. Amen”

Galatians 6 is the concluding chapter of the letter the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia. It addresses several key themes integral to the letter’s overall message, including restoration, sowing and reaping, and boasting in the cross of Christ. Let’s explore these themes in more detail.

• • Restoration & bearing one another’s burden:

In Galatians 6:1-5, Paul emphasizes the importance of restoring believers who have stumbled in any wrongdoing, urging others to approach them with gentleness and humility. This quality of restoration is a characteristic of spiritually mature believers, in contrast to immature believers who may display prideful attitudes and engage in gossip, causing misery for the person who has erred. Paul’s reminder serves as a recognition that everyone is vulnerable and capable of making mistakes, as we all grapple with our own human weaknesses daily. It highlights the need for self-reflection, acknowledging that even followers of the Christian faith may not always act in accordance with its principles. This reminder is vital, as it prevents the tendency to judge others while being lenient towards our own actions.

 Isa 65:5 “Yet they say to each other,’Don’t come too close or you will defile me!I am holier than you!’These people are a stench in my nostrils,an acrid smell that never goes away.”

Even our Lord Jesus refers to the behavior of hypocrites as a character flaw, as they engage in pretense by projecting a false image of perfection to gain recognition from people while disregarding God’s perspective. Their primary concern is being seen as righteous by others, and they are quick to criticize and highlight the faults of others in order to maintain their facade of supposed goodness.

 Matt 7:3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye”

If we could hold ourselves to the same standard of scrutiny as we do with others, we would no longer have the inclination to judge them harshly without love or the opportunity for restoration and dignity.

The responsibility of believers toward one another is emphasized in Paul’s letter, highlighting the significance of community and mutual support within the body of Christ. Paul underscores the need for believers to bear each other’s burdens, demonstrating compassion and providing assistance in times of need.

However, pride can hinder this responsibility. When we prioritize ourselves and our own interests, considering ourselves as more important than others, we are unable to effectively bear their burdens. True love, on the other hand, prioritizes the needs of others over our own. It recognizes the value and importance of others, prompting us to focus on meeting their needs first. In essence, believers are called to set aside pride and embrace a selfless attitude of love, which enables us to fulfill our responsibility of bearing one another’s burdens and providing support in a genuine and meaningful way.

Phil 2:3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

Paul says that not giving a lending hand is proof of an exaggerated sense of self-importance. He reminds us that we are accountable for carrying out the Lord’s command to love one another.

• • Generosity,  doing good, sowing, and reaping:

The principle of sowing and reaping is a central theme in Galatians 6:6-10. Paul uses agricultural imagery to convey spiritual truths. He encourages believers to sow generously in support of those who teach the Word of God and to sow good deeds in general. The principle of reaping what is sown applies to both the spiritual and earthly realms. Paul assures that those who sow to the Spirit will reap eternal life, while those who sow to the flesh will reap corruption. The one law we cannot dispute is this law of sowing and reaping. It always works. If you plant a specific seed in the ground, you can expect that same type of seed to grow and not a different one.

• • Christ is our only hope of glory 

Paul swings back to the point he has been emphasizing in the previous verses. Only faith in Christ can save and nothing else. Man cannot glory in anything else except what Christ Jesus did to save him.

Boasting in the Cross of Christ: In the final verses of Galatians 6 (verses 11-18), Paul emphasizes the cross of Christ as the focal point of his faith and message. He contrasts the external religious practices promoted by the Judaizers with the transformative power of the cross. Paul asserts that circumcision or uncircumcision holds no significance, but what truly matters is being a new creation in Christ. He declares his own identification with the crucified Christ and emphasizes the freedom and transformation received from the cross.

The letter of Galatians as a whole addresses the misunderstanding of the laws of Moses and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sufficiency of faith in Christ for salvation, and the freedom believers have in Christ. It confronts the false teachings of the Judaizers who sought to impose legalistic requirements on Gentile believers. Galatians 6 resonates with the overall message of the letter, emphasizing the importance of living by the Spirit, walking in love, and relying on the grace of God. Lastly, the entire letter highlights the significance of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. The importance of this event in Christianity cannot be overstated. It holds immense importance in the Christian faith as it represents the ultimate act of love, redemption, and reconciliation between humanity and God. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross provides atonement for humanity’s sins, offering forgiveness, salvation, and the restoration of the relationship with God. It represents God’s boundless love and grace, serving as a powerful symbol of His willingness to bear the consequences of sin. Beyond individual salvation, the cross inspires us to live selflessly, lovingly, and in service to others, following Christ’s example and teachings. This is true Christianity as exemplified by Christ! 

I hope you have all enjoyed this study of the book of Galatians and gained valuable insights. May the lessons learned from Galatians deepen our understanding of God’s grace, strengthen our faith, and inspire us to live transformed lives in accordance with His Word in Jesus name. Amen!

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.