GALATIANS LESSON 11


     We will begin this lesson in Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be
overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in
the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be
tempted."

     This is speaking of the brothers and sisters in Christ. Just as
in the parable of the 100 sheep, where one was lost was speaking of
Christians. The one that was lost was a sheep the same as the ninety
and nine that did not get lost. It is not impossible for a Christian
to make a mistake and sin in the process. It is very important for
that person to be restored to the group as soon as possible. If they
repent of the sin, we are not to keep on bringing it up, or
remembering it. These who are stronger in their walk, because of the
Spirit of God within them, should lead the way in forgiving them. Who
knows, the next temptation that comes, may be this spiritual man's.
The person who sinned, must repent and turn from that sin. He can not
go on committing that same sin.

     Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ."

     This brings to mind the black man who carried the cross for
Jesus. We must carry the burdens of those around us, if we are
Christians. The law of Christ, spoken of here, is love your neighbor
as yourself. The load can be much lighter, if we help carry that load.

     Galatians 6:3 "For if a man think himself to be something, when
he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

     This is speaking of a conceited person. Paul, is perhaps speaking
of some of the Galatians, because of their being Jews who thought
themselves to better than others. The thing that would make them
nothing in this case, is the fact that they are still looking to the
law instead of grace. Let others elevate you up. It looks conceited,
if you do it yourself.

     Galatians 6:4 "But let every man prove his own work, and then
shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another."

     If your work is of God, it will prove itself. Do your best, work
hard, and know in your heart that you are doing the very best that you
can. Regardless of the outcome, you can be proud within yourself that
you have done your best.

     Galatians 6:5 "For every man shall bear his own burden."

     Whatever job God gave you to do, it is yours alone. You should
not try to push off your work on someone else. You are the best for
the job God gave you to do.

     Galatians 6:6 "Let him that is taught in the word communicate
unto him that teacheth in all good things."

     This is saying, if God has shown you something about the Word of
God, you are to share it with other teachers, so they can teach the
truth, also. This is, also, saying that those taught are to help with
the day to day needs of the teacher.

     Galatians 6:7 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever
a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

     You can not plant an English pea, and get a stalk of corn.
Whatever you sow, is what your crop will be. On judgement day, we will
receive according to what we sowed on this earth. God is keeping the
account book. We cannot fool Him.

     Galatians 6:8 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh
reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit
reap life everlasting."

     With whatever measure we measure to others, God will measure back
to us. A person who lives for self will die lonely. The actions we
take in this life toward others are like a seed sown that we will reap
in heaven. Jesus said; in as much as you have done it unto the least
of these, you have done it unto me. A Christian's rewards are not for
this world, but are for heaven. If we live a fleshly life, we will
reap the whirlwind. Matthew 19:29 "And every one that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or
children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit everlasting life."   Sowing good here on the earth
means that we are storing up treasures in heaven. Whatever we plant is
the crop we will get.

     Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
season we shall reap, if we faint not."

     I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."
The truth of the matter is that Christians never seem to tire of doing
good. That is what separates them from the rest of the world. The
world is selfish. Christians are thoughtful of others. I love the song
that says "We'll Work Till Jesus Comes". When the Lord returns for His
own, we must be found working to get one more saved, before it is too
late. I have said it before, but it bears repeating, the only way some
people know Jesus is by seeing Him in the actions of His believers.

     Galatians 6:10 "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of
faith."

     You are not responsible for all the people in the world who have
a problem, but you are responsible to help those whose needs come to
your attention. If a neighbor is out of food, take him some food. We
are supposed to help all who we come into contact with who have a
need. This says, especially your Christian brothers and sisters. If
God has blessed you with more than is necessary for you to live on,
share with someone less fortunate. Be quick to distribute to those in
need. It is better to give them an opportunity, than it is to give
them a hand-out. They keep their self-esteem when you give them an
opportunity.

     Galatians 6:11 "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you
with mine own hand."

     Many times, the actual writing of Paul's letters was done by
someone else, but he says here, that he wrote this himself.

     Galatians 6:12 "As many as desire to make a fair shew in the
flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should
suffer persecution for the cross of Christ."

     These Judaizers wanted to look good to their Jewish friends. This
circumcising is a show for flesh worship. It appears that even though
they have proclaimed Jesus as their Saviour, they are not willing to
suffer the ridicule from their Jewish brothers. They were not willing
to suffer for Christ.

     Galatians 6:13 "For neither they themselves who are circumcised
keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory
in your flesh."

     They are trying to prove how religious they are by telling that
they are circumcised. They do not even keep the law themselves, but
want to impose this custom on others to show their religion. They
thought they might avoid being classed with the Christians, if they
continued to practice circumcising. They were trying to stay in both
camps. They wanted everlasting life that Christianity offered, but
they kept this ordinance, so as not to lose their place with the Jews.

     Galatians 6:14 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto
me, and I unto the world."

     Paul was not interested in anything bringing him personal glory.
Paul was rejoicing in the salvation that he received by Jesus when He
gave Himself on the cross. Paul is saying, that he glories in his
salvation. Nothing in this world offered anything to Paul. He was
waiting for that glorious day in heaven with Jesus. Paul was saying; I
am in the world, but this world means nothing to me. My home is in
heaven. Paul, like all believers, had the hope of the resurrection.

     Galatians 6:15 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth
any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."

     Nothing in the flesh means anything. We will discard this house
of flesh and receive our spiritual body. The thing that does matter,
is that we are born again. We are a new creature in Christ. Christ
liveth in us. This world is not our home. We are a stranger in this
land. Our home is in heaven with Jesus.

     Galatians 6:16 "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace
[be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."

     Paul is making a difference in Israel in the flesh and Israel in
the Spirit, here. Christians, who walk according to the Spirit, are
the Israel he speaks of that will have peace and mercy. Romans 9:6
"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are]
not all Israel, which are of Israel:"

     Galatians 6:17 "From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear
in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."

     Paul had born many stripes, because he would not renounce Jesus
Christ as Messiah. Paul is explaining to them, whether they believe
him or not, he belongs to Christ. His message brought to them was as
an apostle of God. He is saying, he does not need their confidence in
him to let him know he belongs to Christ. He says, "Leave me alone".

     Galatians 6:18 "Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be]
with your spirit. Amen."

     This whole book has been about the unmerited favor of God on his
people. The one word is grace. Paul speaks to their spirit man and
asks grace. "Amen" means, so be it.

     To close, I would like to say that it is evident that salvation
through Jesus Christ is a free gift. We do nothing to earn our
salvation. It is just as evident that we must remain steadfast in the
salvation we received. Law and grace are like oil and water, they will
not mix. Choose life in the grace of God.






















                        Galatians 11 Questions


1.  What are Christians to do, when a brother is overtaken in a fault?
2.  What did the parable of the lost sheep have in common with this?
3.  Who should lead the way in forgiving them?
4.  Bear ye one another's ____________.
5.  What is the law of Christ spoken of in verse 2?
6.  What kind of a person is verse 3 speaking of?
7.  Let every man prove his own _______.
8.  Who is the best person to do the job God gave you?
9.  Verse 6 is saying, for those taught in the Word to do what?
10. Whatsoever a man ________, that shall he reap.
11. Quote Matthew chapter 19 verse 29.
12. What does 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 58 tell us about the way
    we should act?
13. What should we be doing when the Lord returns?
14. You are responsible to help whom?
15. Why is it better to give them an opportunity than a hand-out?
16. Who was it that kept wanting them to be circumcised?
17. What is the only thing Paul would glory in?
18. What is better than circumcision in verse 15?
19. What are the two Israels
20. What did Paul mean when he said, he bore in his body the marks of
    the Lord Jesus?
21. What was the benediction he spoke at the last?
22. What one word summarizes this lesson?