Galatians 1:13-16 etc. – FOR REAL!
Most of us do not care for people that are “phonies”, who pretend to be what they are not, and pretend to be more important than they actually are. We usually do not care for hypocrisy in any form.
Our Lord Jesus hated hypocrisy. One day, toward the end of His ministry, he warned against the scribes, a group of religious leaders, who were very hypocritical. Mark 12:38-40
God wants us to be “for real”! He does not want us to be phony or hypocritical.
He wants our Christian walk and talk to be genuine. Our problem is that we are human.
No one is perfect, and consequently there will be some inconsistencies in us all.
There are ways for us to be “for real” before God, the church, our families, and unbelievers.
There are principles found in God’s word that will help us be genuine or “for real”. The Apostle Paul demonstrates and/or teaches us several of these principles in the Book of Galatians.
THE PRINCIPLE OF CHANGE 1:13-16, 22-24
Paul was very religious before his salvation experience. Vss. 13-14
However, when Paul was truly converted, there was a definite change that took place in his life.
He became a preacher to the heathen, or gentile. Vss. 15-16
Instead of persecuting the faith, he became a preacher of the faith. Vss. 22-24
Nobody can be “for real” unless they truly come to Christ and become changed by Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Change for the Christian did not only happen at salvation by should be a continued process. 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 1:5-9
THE PRINCIPLE OF COURAGE – 2:11-14
If we are going to be “for real” we need to have the courage to stand for what is right.
When the Apostle Peter visited Antioch he ate with the Gentiles. Vs. 12a
Then when certain men came who were “of the circumcision”, he became afraid of their opinion and separated himself from the Gentiles at mealtime. Vs. 12
Paul had the courage to stand for what is right and to point out Peter’s hypocrisy. Vs. 14
THE PRINCIPLE OF CRUCIFIXION – 2:20
A Christian who is “for real” recognizes his own death.
Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ.”
Christ was my substitute on the cross.
Christ bore my punishment on the cross.
Christ took my place.
Therefore, when Christ died, I died. I am crucified with Christ.
This makes me dead to the control of sin in my life, dead to the domination of sin in my life, and dead to any obligation to sin.
Although I have been crucified with Christ I am very much alive.
I am alive because Christ is living in me. And Christ, who has given me eternal life, wants to live His life through me. Christ lives his life through me when I recognize that I am dead to sin and by faith trust Christ to live through me. See Romans 6:1-14
THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTROL – 5:16, 22-23
As I yield to Christ by faith, He through the Holy Spirit will have control of my life.
Walking the Spirit keeps me from fulfilling the lust of the flesh. It also produces the Fruit of the Spirit.
THE PRINCIPLE OF COMPASSION – 6:2
When I have compassion I will bear the burdens of others, especially helping them with areas of failure. 6:1-2
The supreme law of Christ is to “love one another”. John 13:14-15
THE PRINCIPLE OF CONSISTENCY – 6:9
We are to keep on doing well and not get weary.
If we are consistent, we will reap the benefits of that consistency.
