In these verses we are told that it is our
responsibility as the people of God to correct those who are living in a way
that is opposed to the character of God. However, we are cautioned to do this
humbly, remembering that we are also fragile and easily seduced by sin. We are
commanded to share in carrying the burdens of others, and also to allow others
to help us with ours. It says that this is a fulfillment of the true meaning of
the law. Honestly, most of us have a much harder time with this command than we
think we do. I have been guilty so often of discarding verse 3 and its caution
against self-delusion; my default is always to carry my own burdens. But like
this section says, we fool ourselves when we think we can live life without
allowing our burden to be shared among the family of believers. How often do
you truly allow someone to share their troubles with you? How often do you
authentically share yours with them? We have gotten in the habit of talking about our burdens without actually sharing them, and sympathizing with others’ troubles rather than bearing them. Meditate today on your need for the comfort,
understanding, and partnership of the Body, and ways in which you might be
deceiving yourself into self-reliance. Also pray that the Lord will open your
eyes to opportunities to minister to your brothers and sisters in genuine ways.
Humble us Father, to receive the blessing of solace and companionship that you
have provided for us in your Body, the church. Teach us today to fulfill the
spirit of your law in upholding your children in the midst of their troubles.

Today’s reading calls us to a level of honesty within
ourselves that deflates the ego and allows us to see ourselves truly. How
different would life be if we all kept this one tiny verse always at the fore
of our thoughts? To honestly evaluate our actions…to eliminate empty boasting
(which is difficult for me to conceive of, as that seems like a staple of life
for us males)…refusing to judge people by our own false standards of
excellence…that would make quite an impact, no? And then taking the next two
verses; carrying your own load (ie, pulling your weight. This is not referring
to bearing your burdens yourself, which we addressed yesterday), and giving
credit where credit is due. These three verses are daunting in their call for
personal responsibility, but they are also a fantastic roadmap for us as
college students transitioning into adulthood. Today, strive to only boast in
your accomplishments that actually deserve it. Attempt to catch yourself when
you are holding people to false standards. Take ownership of you area of
responsibility. Recognize the contributions of others and honor those who are
pouring into you. Such disciplines will surely bless you and those around you.
Pray for presence of mind to maintain these attitudes throughout your day, and
ask the Lord to show you some of the fruit of your actions. Father, encourage
us today as we war against our pride and selfishness. Replace
our creature comforts with divine comfort, and our efficiency with
thoughtfulness. Lead us not only in our transition to adulthood, but in our
transformation to true humanity as well.

The thought for today is very simple, but cuts straight to
the heart of everything: There is no escaping the law of cause and effect; God
set up the universe with this principle embedded deeply in its guts. What you
sow, you will reap. So, in what ways are we choosing to appease our old
natures? And, do we truly believe that such a choice will eventually bring us
to ruin? On the flip side, how are we reinforcing our new natures, and do we
truly believe that such a choice will result in everything our deepest selves
long for? Wrestle with that for a second. Do you actually believe that walking
in the footsteps of Jesus will bring you life in every sense? Because if you don’t, you are going to find it very
difficult to find a compelling reason not to sin. But Paul seems to believe it
pretty matter-of-factly, and encourages the Galatians (and by extension, us) to
be steadfast and patient in doing what is right, with the complete assurance that life and blessing will be the unavoidable
result. This is something that I struggle to connect with in my gut. It’s a
hard thing to grasp in a way that reaches down past your intellect and into
your soul…but it is Truth (note the capitol “T”), and is as indisputable as the
very character of God, because that is its source. Wrestle, meditate, and pray
today that our gracious Saviour will help you to connect with the reality of
this promise. That you would be filled with the quiet resolve of someone who
knows that what they are doing is full of purpose. And that in the serenity of
that assurance you would go forth today and fulfill the call of verse ten to
seize every opportunity to do what is good to everyone, especially to our
family in the faith.

The bottom line of this passage is two-fold. First, be
watchful for people who only want you to join their cause for the sake of
bragging rights, or to use you. And second, don’t get caught up in the rat race
of trying to impress the people around you when the only thing that is truly
impressive is the lovely sacrifice of our Jesus. That being said, what strikes
me about this passage is the last sentence. Which, oddly enough, I find is
wonderfully paraphrased by Timon the meerkat when he says, “When the woild turns its back on you, you
turn your back on the woild”. In this
one sentence, Paul/Timon expresses something achingly beautiful, hopeful, and
comforting. Through the execution of our Jesus, the world and I, the world and
you, the world and we have cut all
ties. In Jesus we have disowned each other completely and no longer have any
obligations, affections, or compulsions toward each other. The broken marriage
that we had with the old world has been annulled. The former regime is truly
God-forsaken because He made a way for us to forsake it all, abandon ship and
step into a wonderful new world of wholeness and true lasting peace.
Hallelujah, we don’t have to live there anymore! I think of the eager
expectation of those who settled the Americas, looking to the horizon for a
“New World”, and finally setting foot on the soil of a new home lush with possibility.
What explorer has ever sailed so far that he discovered a land where life was
still abundant and fresh? We’ve been to the moon and not found such a place.
But Jesus brought

it

to

us.

Chew on that.

As we wrap up this series of
devotionals from Galatians, I can’t help but appreciate how Paul chooses to end
his letter. After all the correction, challenging, and scolding in this book,
he ends with something as poignant, fatherly, and encouraging as, “neither
being circumcised nor being uncircumcised matters; what matters is being a new
creation”. Let’s try to hold that thought loosely in our hands today, not
tightly, but letting it flow into and out of our souls like clean water. Like a
breath. Let this thought rinse from your spirit your feelings of inadequacy as
a Christian. Your confusion. Your frustration. Your bitterness. Your shame.
Your fear. Your anger. All of the ways that your heart is tied in knots over
whether you are following our Jesus properly or not, let them be loosened by
the awareness that “what matters is being a new creation”, and that that part is resoundingly accomplished
on our behalf and cannot be undone. Father, connect our hearts with the awesome
gift of freedom that you have given us. Teach us to boldly, gladly embrace Your
joy that fills life with wonder, Your peace that is so precious, and Your hope
that is more than just hope.

The grace of our Lord Jesus the
Messiah be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Here’s a brief summary of what
we’ve been talking about thus far… Galatians is Paul’s fatherly rant on the
saving power of trust rather than law. The Galatians were being seduced back
into thinking that the law was a necessary part of the mechanics of salvation,
and Paul tackles this opposing teaching head on. Paul repeatedly clarifies that
he is not talking about abandoning the law. Rather, he is calling the Galatians
to lay down the legalistic perversion of the law which brings neither freedom
nor righteousness before God, and run their lives by the Spirit. The
fulfillment of the Law in the person and sacrifice of Jesus, at work in the believer
by the movement of the Spirit, is the true gospel that Paul proclaimed and
defended. This is the gospel that brings freedom, love, and life. With these
things understood, we are ready to meditate on the closing chapter of Paul’s
letter to the Galatians.