GLORY TO GOD

In our message, GLORY TO GOD (Gal. 6:11-15), Paul grabs the pen from his scribe to end this letter with his “own hand” (Gal. 6:11). Some scholars believe the “large letters” Paul wrote with were because of poor eyesight (Gal. 4:13-15), but it is also probable he wrote with large font (all-caps) in a final attempt to reach the audience he cared about so much.

When does God message us in ALL CAPS? (Gal. 1:6-9; 2:21; 3:1, 3; 4:30; 5:1, 7-8, 13, 16-18, 21, 25; 6:5, 7-9, etc.) …

The Holy Spirit then exposes, once again, the motive of the Judaizers as they sought- not the glory of God- but “to look good to others” (Gal. 4:17; 6:12 NET, etc.) And the legalists did this, in part, to avoid “persecution” as they attempted to win people over with smooth words in their hypocrisy (Gal. 6:12a, 13; Matt. 23:3; Rom. 3:23; Gal. 3:10-12; 4:21, etc.).

Paul, in contrast, sought only the glory of God as he boasted “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” alone (Gal. 6:14a; Heb. 13:11-13, etc.). Before he met Jesus, Paul had everything in human terms: education, power, wealth, etc. (Acts 8:1, 3; 9:13-14; 26:9-11; 1 Cor. 15:9; Phil 3:6; 1 Tim. 1:13; Gal. 1:13-14, etc.), but God saved him by grace via the cross (Gal. 1:15; Acts 9:1-9, etc.). In this way Paul was “crucified” (i.e. died) to the world and the world died to him (Gal. 2:20; 6:14b; Rom. 6:11; 1 John 2:15-17, etc.). The world does not understand the cross/gospel (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:18-31; John 1:5; 2 Cor. 2:15-16a, etc.). Circumcision and other outward symbols have no ability to save a person (Gal. 6:15a, etc.). What matters is becoming “a new creation” by grace through faith (Gal. 6:15b; 2 Cor. 5:17, etc.).