By Kyle Beshears
Associate Dean and Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
True Compassion
Galatians 6:1–10, 14–15
Guards (1–5)
Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul addresses communities of believers, not merely the individual people. In fact, it might help to know that Paul was talking to y’all rather than you.
As the redeemed people of God, we have a responsibility to live in biblical community with one another. This means that we are our brother’s and sister’s keepers. We are the kind of people who deeply care about the sanctification and Christian living of our brothers and sisters in the faith.
How quickly sin enters our communities in an attempt to spoil what the Spirit is renewing. And so often sin leads us to pride. Paul says that if someone thinks that he is “something when he is nothing,” then he fools himself. Pride is the result.
Yet lest we misunderstand Paul, the apostle is not advocating that we sink into wallowing self-pity of our own nothingness. True, we are nothing on our own, but through faith, Paul has already declared that we receive a new identity as “heirs according to the promise” of God (Gal. 3:29). That is something, but it’s not anything apart from Christ. We are nothing without Christ, and if we think otherwise, we fool ourselves into pride.
C.S. Lewis wrote that “humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” If you think of yourself less, then you think of others more, both about your Redeemer and your fellow redeemed community. The more you think of others, the more you grow concerned about seeing their restoration after succumbing to sin.
Stewards (6–10)
We live with one another as stewards of the Spirit’s fruit, enjoying the blessings that come from a community that is oriented toward the heart of Christ.
In a saying so famous that nearly everyone knows it, Paul reminds us that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). If we sow in our flesh, then eternal death is the curse; however, if we sow in the Spirit, then eternal life is the blessing.
What then are you sowing in your life and in the life of your Christian community? Paul invites us to be good stewards of the blessings of God.
We ought to ensure that our pastoral leaders (“teachers”) are supported so that they may continue their good work to do good liberally for brothers and sisters in the faith, and to serve all others in a way that would please the Lord Jesus. Only then will we be blessed in reaping what we have sown.
Proclaimers (14–15)
Why should we concern ourselves with humility, stewardship and the right living of our brothers and sisters? So that we can train the attention and admiration of the world onto us? Absolutely not. Instead, our goal is to glorify the Lord Jesus in His person and work.
When the world looks at us, they ought to see Christ. In humility, we boast in the cross of Christ, rightly declaring to the world that anything good they see is only because of Him.
Cross-exalters do not place their confidence in themselves, their works or even their best intentions. They completely rely on the finished work of Christ on the cross, His truly death-defying triumph over the grave and His ongoing work of restoration on its way toward His future return.
We owe everything to the cross and empty tomb, and for that reason we boast in Christ alone.
Share with others: