Do Good to All Men

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Galatians 6:10-18. In this portion of the letter Paul says we are to do good to all men–meaning all people, especially those who are of the household of faith. Why do you think Paul gives this advice?

Paul tells them, “You see how large a letter I have written to you with my own hand?” Paul’s love and concern for the Galatians is shown throughout this letter. His main concern is that the people of Galatia had been influenced to return to following the Law of Moses in order to be Christians. Paul knew that Jesus died on the cross so they could be free from the law. He wanted the Galatians to live in the freedom Christ died to give them.

Paul says there are many who desire to make a show in the flesh by compelling them to be circumcised, one of the Jewish laws. Remember, those other teachers were only trying to persuade them to do this so they can glory in their flesh, bragging that they had persuaded more people to follow the Jewish traditions. Paul says, God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of Christ, by who the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. Paul didn’t want any glory for what he did. His ministry was for Christ and any good that came of it the glory went to Christ.

Paul says, “In Christ neither circumcision (following Jewish laws) nor un-circumcision (boasting in freedom from Jewish laws) gains anything, but we are made new creatures in Christ. As many of you as walk according to this rule, may God’s peace and mercy be on you and on the Israel of God.” Paul says from now on do not let anybody bother me, because I have in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Perhaps Paul thought, if you want to be circumcised, go ahead and do that, but do it for the right reasons. If you follow the other laws make sure you do it as a sign of your faith, not as a sign of your own righteousness. Sure I was circumcised, but that was before I became a Christian, while I called myself a Jew. Maybe Paul wouldn’t have chosen to be circumcised if he’d become a Christian first (even though in today’s world many baby boys are circumcised before they leave the hospital to come home).

Paul had suffered much persecution over the years for his stand for Christ. It had taken its toll on his body. The burden that pastors, teachers, and leaders have on their hearts for the people is heavy. Paul loved the Galatians and wanted God’s best for them. Paul closes the letter saying, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Perhaps, a common benediction used in many churches today.

Paul had served the Galatians and he had a heart for them. His desire for them was that they continue in the work of the Lord which he had taught them. He wanted them to have the joy and peace of salvation through Jesus Christ. He didn’t want them to go back to being a slave to the law and being in bondage. Christ died for our sins so we could have grace, peace, and forgiveness and be free from the bondage of the law. Why would we want to be entrapped in that bondage if we don’t have to be?

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Galatians 6:10-18

10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. [[[The following was added by editors of the KJV: To [the] Galatians written from Rome.]]]

 

Things to think about:

• Why did Paul exhort the Galatians to do good to those who were of the household of faith?
• What did Paul glory in?
• Have you been set free through Jesus Christ?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Galatians where we’ve studied Paul’s letter to the Galatians. We thank You that Paul has repeatedly explained how we can have the freedom of Christ in our lives. Thank You that we don’t have to live under the bondage of the law anymore. Thank You for the precious gift You gave us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to treasure Him and the gift of salvation. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

– Galatians 6:10

 

– This is an excerpt from my book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

Click the link above to get your copy now!

 

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Featured Book:

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia

By Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia is a Daily Bible Reading Study of the book of Galatians. The book of Galatians is in the New Testament and is one of Paul’s letters. He wrote this letter to the churches of Galatia.

Paul is concerned that the people of Galatia are being taught something different than the true gospel, which he taught them earlier. Paul goes to great lengths to make sure they understand the difference between living under the law and living under the grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Book of Galatians: Paul’s Letter to the Churches of Galatia contains sixteen Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, a few questions for contemplation called, “Things to think about,” and a prayer for the day. This book is great to use for both personal Bible study and group Bible studies.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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