11 See what large letters I am using to write to you with my own hand!

12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. They only do this to avoid persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For the circumcised do not even keep the law themselves, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.

14 But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which[A] the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. What counts is a new creation.

16 Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers.
Amen.

REFLECTIONS

Written by Paul Bogg

Reading this passage, I sense the weariness of Paul’s plea to the Galatians to take his words seriously. To the hearers of these words, there is a fork in the road – either walk the way of peace and mercy with God through Christ, or walk the way of the law. But not even the people compelling them to walk the way of the law are keeping the law themselves.

Recently I was talking to a non-believer, and I asked him: What would it take for you to make a decision to follow Christ? His answer was: “If I could see it, I would believe it.” The apostle Paul tells the Galatians: “Your proof is me.” Paul himself bears the marks of Jesus on his body, the physical scars of having been persecuted for Christ. He counts himself crucified to the world – and in that crucifixion, he is now a new creation. His testimony in chapter 1 illustrates this transformation – he once persecuted the church, but now is prepared to preach Christ, to the point of suffering intense persecution himself.

As we come to the end of this letter to the Galatian Christians, I wonder: Does my life reflect the same transformation that knowing Jesus brings? Would believers and non-believers alike see Christ in me, crucified to the world, and living the life of a new creation?  It’s a challenging question and causes me to reflect on my day to day living. Do I bear the fruit of the Spirit, taking care to put to death the acts of the flesh and seeking to do good to others, especially the family of faith? Those would be great points to reflect and pray on now.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul is a member of our Bossley Park Morning congregation.