At the end of the letter, Paul makes one final point in His own handwriting. The false teachers wanted the church in Galatia to lower their standards of belief. The false teachers cared more about their appearance in society than their own relationship with God. They did not want anyone looking or acting more spiritual than them. In other words, the Christians made them feel guilty.
If any statement speaks to our own current events, then this section does. The ACLU, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (a pseudo-Christian organization), and Americans for Religious Liberty (whose views show a belief in an amoral society free from religious influence) are all groups who seek to spread the religion of tolerance:
(1) because they are afraid of offending someone or in reality are afraid of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. They do not want to make a person feel uncomfortable thus showing a preference for the condemnation of Satan who beats people down (kills creativity and growth); and
(2) because tolerance is inclusive in that it excludes anyone who may follow the real truth. They prefer relevant truth which means they get to choose their own truth. Tolerance is anti-Jesus in most forms because Jesus claims to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that He is the only way to the Father – all of which makes someone’s views wrong so tolerance thumpers are offended.
Paul and the Christians of his age fought intolerant tolerance by being true to the new creation within them. A new creation is the only rule that brings us into relationship with God. False teachers could not accept this; it was too simple. It also meant that they were wrong so they tried to get the new Christian movement to accept circumcision as a means of religious expression. The problem was that God circumcises the heart to create a new person. Physical expression of circumcision only complicates worship and acts to ignore the work of God. Paul had to put a stop to this.
Paul was not looking for a fight as he says that he bares the scars of many rounds against anti-Christian influence. He wasn’t going to back down from the truth either. Being a new creation in Christ opens one’s life to grace and to mercy, and to peace:
- Grace – unmerited favor
- Mercy – compassion from God
- Peace – abundant life with a quieted soul
How could you experience life any better?
- Have you ever had to stand up for the truth? Did you act in love or with contempt?
- How do we balance not provoking someone (see Galatians 5:26) and standing firm on the truth?
- What is unmerited favor?
- How does God show His compassion for you?
- What does an abundant life with a quieted soul mean to you?
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