Galatians 6 - Fulfill the Law?

You've been set free in Christ, but you must use your freedom to build up yourself and those around you.

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Galatians 6 Summary

As is often the case in his letters, Paul ends Galatians with a string of imperatives that practically apply the doctrines he presented earlier in the letter.

The Galatian Christians had been lied to: they'd been told that the needed to fulfill the law of Christ (v2) by adhering to Old Testament regulations made obsolete by the final sacrifice of Jesus.

This letter has reminded them (and us) that the true way to fulfill the law is by building up those around you, especially fellow members of the Church (v10).

You are to:

Gently restore those who've been tripped up by sin (v1)
Keep yourself from temptation (v1)
Help others carry their load (v2)
Build up those who teach (v6)
Keep at the hard work of doing good (v9-10)

Dig Deeper

CHRISTIANS ARE FREED FROM THE LAW, SO NOW YOU MUST FOLLOW THE LAW: That headline seems contradictory, but yet it captures the theme of Paul's letter to the Galatians.

Paul has emphasized over and over that Christians are saved by by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and not by trying to follow religious rules and regulations. Now he suddenly tells us "you will fulfill the law" (v2), and he wishes "peace upon all who follow this rule" (v16).

Remember to always keep a tension in your understanding of Christianity. For sure the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament can add nothing to a salvation that's already complete, so we can in good conscience set them aside.

But remember what you read yesterday, that your prime directive is to obey the truth (5:7), and that truth is the "law of Christ." When you accept sinful behavior as normal, whether it's your sin or the sin of another, you contribute to lies which mocks God, which He will not tolerate (6:7).

AAA Prayer:

ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God can not be mocked (v7) and is gathering His people into His church.
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask for the strength to sow to please the Spirit (v8), crucify the world (v14) and follow the law and rule of Christ (v2, 16).
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: