As Paul the apostle closes
his words to the church members in Galatia, we can almost sense in
his tone that he is calling upon every last minute instruction to
help them in their Christian faith. Those who teach the word of God
are like that. They desire others to know their information, follow
their information, and then think and rethink their information. Some
simply tell, and others teach. Paul desired that the Galatians apply
his principles in their lives because they were the principles of
Jesus. When people applied the principles or rules of Jesus, peace
was the residual. In chapter six and verse sixteen Paul wrote
concerning this when he said:
And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the
Israel of God.
Paul
begins this verse with, “And as many as walk according to this
rule,...”. Our first thought should be that there is a
possibility that some would not walk according to this rule. There
are those who will, and there are those who will not. But secondly,
we might wonder, “What rule?” Naturally it would be the rule that
he just stated in the previous verse:
For in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision avails any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature.
The rule
is that it is not about outward appearances that produces salvation,
but rather it is about a changed heart – becoming a new creature.
“The old things are passed away, and behold, everything is
become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Some will understand and
follow this rule, and others will continue to work for their
salvation.
Paul's
declaration to those who follow the rule is, “peace be on them,
and mercy,...”. There is a benefit to following the rule that
Jesus paid it all for our sin – peace with God and mercy with God.
When the understanding of the gospel really sinks in for the
Galatians and all who read Paul's words, there is a peace that
resides within that goes beyond explanation. Peace with God and the
peace of God are carried with the believer who receives this
wonderful gospel. Regardless of the circumstances, difficulties and
troubles, the peace of Christ Jesus reigns within. Then, as an added
bonus, mercy takes up residence as well. Not getting what is deserved
becomes the mantra by which the believer lives, and now he or she
knows they will face a merciful God when the day of accounting comes.
God's peace and God's mercy are two of the greatest attributes that
Paul may wish upon those who believe.
Finally,
Paul adds, “and upon the Israel of God.” Not only does
Paul desire that individuals be blessed with peace and mercy, but
also that these traits be upon all of Israel. Those who share the
gospel in sincerity as Paul did desire that everyone know the truth.
The expansion of these ideas to the Israel of God would naturally be
the next step.
Do we
walk in peace in our relationship with God? Have we made everything
right with Him, and are we confident that we are walking according to
His rule of salvation and not that of our own? Do we know that His
mercy will be upon us in the day of reckoning? If so, may His peace
and mercy be upon us, and if not, may we come to know more of this
marvelous rule of the gospel and this wonderful God who gave it.
Next time we will see the price Paul paid for sharing the gospel of
Jesus Christ, so 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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