Not for Show
Scripture Reading: Galatians 6: 7 - 17 (NIV)
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.
17From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.
Message: “Not for Show”
Authentic
Paul is writing to the Galatians in his own handwriting (not making use of a scribe) with a big theme on his heart: to be authentic.
Remember Paul is man that went through the mill
He was on the high of being a respected religious leader
Turned around his life and became a follower of Jesus and an apostle
The book of Galatians starts off with Paul sharing his story and calling on believers to stay true to their faith
I believe this is part of the message to us today - stay authentic, stay true to your faith!
In the big letters of his own authentic handwriting, Paul is urging us to stay true to our faith
You can’t fake it before God
Paul says: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
In essence, Paul says: you can’t fake it before God!
God knows our inner heart
And it is noteworthy that he brings this conversation to include the spiritual dimension of life
He urges them not to please the flesh, but to please the Spirit
In a sense he is telling them not to ignore the spiritual side of life by focussing on the physical side of life
There needs to be a balance
Although we have physical needs, we cannot deny the spiritual dimension of our lives
Although we need to work hard to please the flesh, we need to take care of our spiritual side too!
Reap what you sow
Paul reminds them that they will reap what they sow
You have to put some effort in, to get something out - in the image of a sower
And if we bring the spiritual side into this…
You have to pray to God to lead you
You have to trust in God to provide in all you need
You have to live in a relationship with God to be spiritually alive
You have to follow Jesus to find your true purpose in life
Without putting in spiritual effort, you will always struggle in your spiritual life
Keep doing good
Paul also encourages them to keep doing good and not to give up
Spiritually healthy people do good without effort
They don’t give up on doing good
They don’t give up on doing the right thing
They don’t give up on making a difference in this world, making this world a better place
Put your trust in Christ
Paul reminds them not to put their trust in religious symbols, but in Christ
Religious symbols like the circumcision, or the baptism, or going to church, or church membership, are all empty if we put our trust in them
Our trust should be in Jesus
That’s why Paul also reminds them that they are a new creation through Jesus
Not for Show
Paul urges the Galatians to be real in their relationship with God
We are not Christians to serve our own interests or to impress anyone
We don’t keep up appearances or try to impress the world
We are here to serve Jesus!
Let us live out who we are!
In his own handwriting, in big letters, Paul is saying to the Galatians: Don’t try to impress me with all you religious stuff…
Show me your commitment to following Jesus…
Stop causing me trouble, I’ve seen it all…
Just be real before God…
Our faith is not for show! AMEN.
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