Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Do you think that within the heart and context of Galatians 6 is this biggie, this BIG BOMB if you will, that can be thrown out there as necessary, to scare people and intimidate them forcefully as to what is necessary into being spiritually coerced people? Like you can just pull this bomb out of the heart of the New Testament and use it as you see fit? Are we under the law? Wasn't that the whole point of Paul's Letter to the Galatians that we aren't under the law? Paul had alot to say to the religious minded folks in this letter it seems.
I have always loved Galatians. Such a wonder and a joy to read of the freedom that Christ has given us over the works and wiles of the devil and our flesh, particularly in regards to religion and being religiously minded.
Paul saw being religiously minded as being zealous of traditions only and as totally after man (sowing to their flesh). This is what he meant when he went on to say things such as "If a man thinks himself to be something (religious minded) he is nothing" This was in reference to the arrogance and pride that filled religious zealous people. He said that religion would through the outworking of the flesh lust against the Spirit of God.
Yes Paul talks of other works of the flesh, but he makes a point doesn't he of saying "I told you before that these are obviously works of the flesh, and those who practise this shall not enter the kingdom of God." So please don't mistake what I am saying here. Paul is saying listen carefully! Concerning life in the Spirit - the main thing you need to be aware of - is that religion will find an avenue through the flesh and will lust against the Spirit. The other works of the flesh are manifest i.e. more obvious, but this one is not! So be aware of this! Paul was saying that religion isn't quite as obvious as the sins of the flesh,that he had already mentioned before. He said that we would not be weary in well doing to others - if fact we would, in the Spirit, want to do good unto all men. Sowing in this way will bring 'life everlasting'. Please understand this, Paul is saying, because if you continue to embrace your religion in FAVOR of the true generosity and love and heart of God towards others, then, yes, sadly, you will be deceived and you will be mocking God ....
They probably threw scriptures / commands and laws around to coerce people, right? . To me the real context and heart of Galatians, as I am trying to summarize here, particularly in Gal. 6:7, is not to coerce but is to say more correctly perhaps, "hey if you sow to your religion, your religious mindedness, you will not be considering the very heart of God which is to GENTLY restore someone. Religion would offer a restoration process anything other than gentle, which is why Paul had to say things such as "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.
It seems the Spirit of God gives us joy - deep joy - when we know that we are no longer bound by legalism. It's no wonder Paul always said to the brethren "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father" .. "I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you unto the grace of Christ" ..
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Do you think that within the heart and context of Galatians 6 is this biggie, this BIG BOMB if you will, that can be thrown out there as necessary, to scare people and intimidate them forcefully as to what is necessary into being spiritually coerced people? Like you can just pull this bomb out of the heart of the New Testament and use it as you see fit? Are we under the law? Wasn't that the whole point of Paul's Letter to the Galatians that we aren't under the law? Paul had alot to say to the religious minded folks in this letter it seems.
I have always loved Galatians. Such a wonder and a joy to read of the freedom that Christ has given us over the works and wiles of the devil and our flesh, particularly in regards to religion and being religiously minded.
Paul saw being religiously minded as being zealous of traditions only and as totally after man (sowing to their flesh). This is what he meant when he went on to say things such as "If a man thinks himself to be something (religious minded) he is nothing" This was in reference to the arrogance and pride that filled religious zealous people. He said that religion would through the outworking of the flesh lust against the Spirit of God.
Yes Paul talks of other works of the flesh, but he makes a point doesn't he of saying "I told you before that these are obviously works of the flesh, and those who practise this shall not enter the kingdom of God." So please don't mistake what I am saying here. Paul is saying listen carefully! Concerning life in the Spirit - the main thing you need to be aware of - is that religion will find an avenue through the flesh and will lust against the Spirit. The other works of the flesh are manifest i.e. more obvious, but this one is not! So be aware of this! Paul was saying that religion isn't quite as obvious as the sins of the flesh,that he had already mentioned before. He said that we would not be weary in well doing to others - if fact we would, in the Spirit, want to do good unto all men. Sowing in this way will bring 'life everlasting'. Please understand this, Paul is saying, because if you continue to embrace your religion in FAVOR of the true generosity and love and heart of God towards others, then, yes, sadly, you will be deceived and you will be mocking God ....
They probably threw scriptures / commands and laws around to coerce people, right? . To me the real context and heart of Galatians, as I am trying to summarize here, particularly in Gal. 6:7, is not to coerce but is to say more correctly perhaps, "hey if you sow to your religion, your religious mindedness, you will not be considering the very heart of God which is to GENTLY restore someone. Religion would offer a restoration process anything other than gentle, which is why Paul had to say things such as "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.
It seems the Spirit of God gives us joy - deep joy - when we know that we are no longer bound by legalism. It's no wonder Paul always said to the brethren "Grace be to you and peace from God our Father" .. "I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you unto the grace of Christ" ..
7 comments:
Ruth I responded to your question/s on my blog, I hope this will cause us to ponder some more on what His spirit wants to make real to us in what appears to be typo.
I realize you are thinking out loud here at best, so into this mix I want to ask you something.
You said, “the main thing you need to be aware of, is that it's religion that will lust against the Spirit.” What I want to ask is, how can religion lust, doesn’t it require an impetus in order for it aggressively and strongly try to devour, consume us? Much like the language that says, ‘The flesh lusts after the spirit,’ is Paul saying that meat-flesh has a personality? Or is the flesh something far more than what most of believers have ever known about and possibly because of this we have been side tracked more times than we care to mention because of giving into that which is operative within the ‘flesh’?
I do want to say that everything outside of Christ is imo Religion, in one colour, flavour etc, and it is this ‘father of lies’ that I see being the one who is as it were the father of all religion period.
I look forward to delving into this further with you.
You are Loved!
Well I am trying to understand what you are saying here. So are you saying that in regards to flesh it is operative in many ways, one only of which is religion ? If I have understood you to have said that, then I would definitely rephrase my words as to having said "the main thing you need to be aware of is that religion is just one avenue of the flesh that lusts against the Spirit."
In the context of galatians, it seems to me tho that Paul is really bearing down on the outworking in the flesh of religion.
(have I understood you ? )
Yes, I agree that all outside of Christ is 'religion' in the sense that it's promise of life lies in performance and conforming and embracing (apart ) from Christ alone.
Ruth,
Hopefully this will shed some more light on your question, “So are you saying that in regards to flesh it is operative in many ways, one only of which is religion?”
Jesus said that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the spirit is spirit, my understanding thus far is that the FLESH is just that the FLESH!
The thing is like everything else we like to categorize things and the flesh is no exception.
There are those who would break it down this way, there is the ‘religious’ flesh, and the “sinful” flesh, when in fact as Jesus said, the Flesh is Flesh.
Here in my opinion is the kicker, and this is most volatile. The overt in your face expressions of the flesh is most evident, whether that is expressed through a sinner or saint, BUT, anything that is done independently from/of the Father is of the flesh.
What we do NOT see is the motive of a person doing these things and because we know folks mostly after the flesh, how could these actions be what Jesus calls lawlessness especially when others are being blessed by those actions?
In my opinion there is so MUCH that has and is being done that has nothing to do with it being an expression of the Life of the Father initiating those actions but outwardly. We judge, evauleate after our fleshly knowing of one another, wow, how spiritual they are!
Most of us as believers are blinded to this whacked deception hidden within our flesh that masquerades in being seen as spiritual, when in fact it is at best just fleshly stuff that has NO life at all, and because of not seeing or knowing the Truth, we blindly dumbly follow what our eyes tell us is true.
It is the Truth we are wanting, not mine or yours, cause its only the Truth that can make/set us free.
In my opinion, because of not knowing the Truth, christianity is but another religion, dead at best.
thanks Rich, I will have to try to understand what you are saying !
Aida,
I decided to finally create my own Blog. Pppllleeeaaassseee, I hope you will come visit "me," add me to your Feeds, read my entries, and leave comments. I'd love that!!
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
~Amy :)
Ruth,
Good luck trying to understand Rich.
You are right. Paul's entire letter to the Galatian churches, 1:1 to 6:18, addresses justification by faith alone in Christ alone. The "flesh" lusting against the Spirit denies that truth; the flesh yearns to be justified by works. That is Paul's point in 5:16-25 (3:3).
If we are seeking to be justified by works then we will he held accountable for the works of the flesh because we are putting ourselves back under the law. Under grace we are not. Amazing isn't it?
God is not mocked even when some reject His grace toward us through faith in Christ in favor of the law.
Hi Johnny,
Yes God's grace is amazing! thanks for your comment, please stop by again !
ruth
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