As we close the book of
Galatians, we have come to Paul's final words to the church members.
He has warned them of the false teachings of the Judaizers. He has
encouraged them to enjoy the gospel of grace, and he has instructed
them about their behavior toward one another. In chapter six and
verse eighteen Paul concludes his book with a reference to the theme
of his book. He wrote:
Brethren, the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ [be] with your spirit. Amen.
Paul
begins with, “Brethren,...” For one final time we see the
affinity that Paul had toward the church members in Galatia. He was
their evangelistic prophet who brought them the teachings of Jesus in
the first place, and was as a spiritual father on Earth to them, yet,
he employs the endearing term of “Brethren” as if to say
they were family, close kin, and fellow-believers with him.
Paul
goes on to bless them with, “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with your spirit.” There is probably not a greater desire
that Paul could have wished upon them than this one. That God's
“unmerited favor” would shine upon them was one of the greatest
blessings they would ever receive. Notice too that he desires that
“our” Lord Jesus Christ's grace be “with your
spirit.” Paul included himself in the relationship with Jesus,
and that Jesus' presence of grace would be with their spirits which
is their very essence. Paul began his letter with “grace” in
chapter one and verse three:
Grace [be] to
you and peace from God the Father, and [from] our Lord Jesus Christ,
and
now he ends it in the same manner. Those who read Paul's words can
never have enough of the grace of God poured out upon them.
Paul
ends his words with, “amen” which means, “so be it” or
“let it be so”, and thus shall we end our study of the book of
Galatians in the same way. “Amen” and “Amen”, and may we
evermore say, “Amen” to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ being
poured out upon our spirits.
Next time we will begin a new book, Esther, so begin in chapter one
and read ahead, and let us join together then.
Until
tomorrow...there is more...
Look for
the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation
to Generation” in all major
bookstore
sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to
e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore
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