The Application of the Gospel of Grace, Continued

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To Bring Concern for Others

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Here Paul speaks about the proper way to minister to a Brother who had been caught in a "trespass". The key is "restoration in the spirit of gentleness". Harsh words are often exchanged in the process of "policing" the church. Here we see that Paul condemns this way of acting. Paul speaks here and in first Corinthians as to how this problem should be handled. Again, love and gentleness is the tools that are to be used, not the judges gavel.

Only the humble should seek to restore a fallen brother. Paul warns that if we act out of any other motive besides love, we my very well fall into trespass ourselves, for if anyone thinks to highly of himself, he deceives himself. Paul is not telling us to overlook the failures of others, he is simply telling us to resolve these problems in gentleness and love, for but for the Grace of God, we to could be that brother.

Never boast of your piety. Never boast of your faithful attendance at church. Never boast of your life being free of the sins that plague another brother, but thank God that He has permitted you, by His Grace, to live that way. Each of us had his own burden to carry, but rest assured that no one carries more than he has Grace to do.

To Give Encouragement

Two methods are spoken of here as ways to give encouragement. The first is sharing the Word. Paul tells us to share all the good things that God has taught us. Only in the sharing can what we have learned be passed on and be a benefit to others.

Secondly, we are to encourage those who have grown weary. We often grow weary of faithfully attending to our duties as Christians. We also grow weary of diversity in the process of doing our duties as Christians. Here Paul gives us some encouragement as well as a warning, he reminds us the "God is not mocked", He knows what's going on. Diversity reaps corruption, just as sin corrupts the body.

But there is hope. Love and doing good, brings things that are eternal, to us and to the church, therefore we should not grow weary, for the time will come when we will reap what we have sown. That's a sobering thought, isn't it?

To Aid in Determining Motives

Paul closes by comparing his motives for seeking their well being as opposed to the motives of the Judizers. We know that misery loves company and the Judizers could not stand to see these new Gentile Christians enjoying all that freedom. They believed that religion, to be effective, had to be a burden. They loved to display their religion, showing great outward signs was their specialty. They had little respect for the purpose or intent of the Law. They were jealous of those who were close to "their God", without the burdens of the Law. They decided to harness these Gentiles as they had harnessed themselves.

They sought to excuse themselves in the eyes of their fellow Jews who had not accepted Christ, by imposing upon these Gentiles the works of the Law. They insisted that they become circumcised. Thus they thought that they were removing the "offence of the cross" that bothered the Jews so much.

Notice what Paul's motive was. Paul sought only that the Gentiles might glory in Christ not in the flesh. That they might have the peace and mercy of God by realizing that in Christ, their sins were forgiven and that there was neither Jew or Gentile, circumcised or un-circumcised. But Paul was growing tired. "From now on", Paul says, "Don't trouble me." "I'm done." "I've taught you the Gospel of Grace, I've showed you the error of the Judizers and my body shows the marks of Christ." What more could Paul have done?

Then Paul closed with a benediction, "The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, be with with your spirit, Brother." Surly this was the Gospel of Grace defended, explained and applied as only Paul could do.

THUS ENDS THE BOOK OF GALATIANS

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