Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Jan 26, 2024 - A New Creation”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsA New Creation
Reading: Galatians 6:11-18
At the conclusion of his letter, Paul takes the pen from his scribe and writes with his own hand to underscore the importance of his words (Gal 6:11). Frustrated by the Judaizing teachers who are troubling the Galatians, he insists that their actions are “in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ”(Gal 6:12) and so that “they may boast in your flesh”(Gal 6:13). They teach these Gentiles to be circumcised and keep Moses’ Law so that the Jews around them will be pleased—and perhaps also so that they can brag about recruiting Gentiles to Judaism. They are not truly concerned about the Galatians or about the truth of Jesus’ cross, but themselves.
Paul insists that he is different: “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”(Gal 6:14). Other people are not accomplishments for us to put on our resumes; this boasting is inappropriate. Paul will only boast in the cross, which has forever changed his relationship to the world and its validation. “For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation”(Gal 6:15). These outward states of our body—which the Galatians are looking to as the answer to their spiritual needs—really matter very little compared to the “new creation” God has made us into. Paul pronounces a blessing on those who think this way and “upon the Israel of God”(Gal 6:16), implying a spiritual Israel rather than a physical one.
“A new creation” is what matters. This is similar to his earlier statement that “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love”(Gal 5:6, see also 2 Cor 5:17). We tend to get distracted by details that matter less than the core truth. God has caused us to be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:1-8). He has given us hope despite our sins. Jesus has brought new wine that the old wineskins can no longer hold. He has given the Spirit. Everything has changed for us. Our work is to press forward rather than looking back or pining for our old ways.
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One Thing to Think About: What details tend to distract me from my status as “a new creation”?
One Thing to Pray For: To only boast in the cross
