Day 177 "Grace Calls Us Heavenward" (Galatians: Chapter Six)

Several things are clear as one travels through the book of Galatians. First, Paul is a changed man. Before his life changing experience with grace in Christ, Paul was Saul, the persecutor of the early church. Now, he is willing to lay down his life for the faith he once tried to destroy. Secondly, it is only by faith in Christ that we are justified before God. Thirdly, not only are we justified, but we are completely, 100% justified. Meaning, there is nothing that you or I can add or take away from what Christ has already done. It is finished. Therefore, we have been set free from trying to live our lives by following the rules and regulations of the law. We are to live only by faith in what Jesus has done for us. Fourthly, not only have we received God's mercy in the forgiveness of our sins, but God has also extended his grace to us and made us part of his family as his children, co-heirs with Christ. Fifthly, the way to live out our lives here on Earth is to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit that has been deposited within us when we each accepted Christ as our savior. By living by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of our sinful nature but produce the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and self-control. Lastly, as we approach chapter six, the question that is asked in the world today, "Am I my brother's keeper?" And the answer is, emphatically, yes. Caring for our fellow man is the culmination of love. Paul leaves us with a few departing thoughts in this chapter.

Galatians: Chapter Six

:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Love takes the focus of seeking to meet the needs of oneself and places it upon others. The notable characteristic of a follower of Christ, one whose life has been redeemed from sin, is that of love. Jesus, himself, instructed us: "As I have loved you, so you must love one another." ( John 13:34) By this notion and directive, it is plain to see that the highest calling upon our lives is to love. It

is the greatest of all the commandments ( Matthew 22:36-40)) and fulfills the entire law. (Romans 13:10)

:4 "Each one should test his own actions. then he can take pride in himself, without

comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load."

At first glance, one might interpret Paul's writing here as focusing upon self, and, thus, seeking self-indulgence. But that is not what Paul is saying. What I believe Paul is saying is to test your own motives for why you do what you do. Under- standing why it is that we do something underscores the nature of our heart and gets to the root causation for our need to do it. When love enters the realm of one's existence, especially when one comes to an understanding of God's unconditional love for one's life, one can remove the cloak of fear that tethers us to each other for our acceptance and find one's self-sufficiency in Christ alone, where there is no longer a need to compare oneself to others. Complete in Christ, we are, now, able to stand on our own. The essence of community is

being able to shoulder one's own responsibility that helps make up that community.

:7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Think for a moment that one is temporary and one is eternal. Which is which?

A person's life or everything around that person is subjected to finality-it will all one day pass away. But God and his kingdom are eternal. The things done for self will end when self no longer exists here on Earth. But when one lives by following and seeking to please the Spirit, everything that that person does can have eternal ramifications.

:9-10 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people,"

What is life really about? The essence of love whispers to us that life, real life, is not about "me" and the seeking to meet one's own needs while here on Earth. Rather, in God's economy, it is all about relationships: our relationship with God, and our relationships with one another. When the motivation of one's heart truly aligns with the understanding of seeing oneself as a conduit of God's love, then the directive and motivation for all action in one's life becomes that of love.

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life

of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant

offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any

comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tender-

ness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like- minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others." Philippians 2:1-4

:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the whole world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

When one glimpse into the realm of eternity through Christ, the things of this world pale in comparison. Everything begins to take on a different light. For

me, it is the recognition of how temporary everything is here on Earth- even the whole universe! Through Paul's encounter with Christ, Paul, who was once Saul the prosecuter, is now Paul, one of the pillars of the faith. His perspective

about life has totally changed. No longer performance driven, he has now set his attention and focus on God's kingdom to come.

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forget-ting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:12-14

"But our citizenship is in heaven." Philippians 3:20

All of eternity has been granted to us through the crucifixion of Christ upon the

cross. Jesus, on our behalf, did it all!!! Any wonder at all why Paul attributes everything in his life to Christ, and to Christ alone? For Paul, the interests in this world to him have diminished and dissipated. He recognizes that his old nature has been crucified with Christ upon the cross. He no longer lives for himself, but for Christ and the Spirit of God who resides within him. The Apostle Paul has truly died to himself so that he may live for others. And that,

is love!

Key verses for me:

:2 "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

:7-8 "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sow to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

:14 "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the whole world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

All that relates to our spiritual lives has been made possible through Christ. The phrase comes to my mind, "give credit to where credit is due." In the scheme of all humanity, no other act comes remotely close to what Christ accomplished on the cross for our behalf.

A bridge was forged to provide us with a pathway of reconciliation with a just and holy God. Not only that, God's unconditional love for us was made known through the love of Christ.

"Jesus answered: 'Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.'" John 14:9

By faith in Christ, not of works of our own, our hearts have been justified before God. All fear is gone, love has sent it away.

"Perfect love casts out all fear." 1 John 4:18

"let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience." Hebrews 10:22

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"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

In a world so full of dissension, greed, inequality, abuse, hatred, and discord, how wonderful to perceive a beautiful Son-rise on the horizon awaiting for us in the future

to welcome us home.

I invite you to listen to Hillsong's song "Cornerstone."

From a spiritual perspective, Christ makes all things possible. Make the most of every moment. They only come but once.

In his love, see you tomorrow....

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)