Over the past few months, we have been studying the book of Galatians and learning about Jesus’ gospel of grace. Paul gives a summary definition of the gospel when he wrote, “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Gal 1:3-5). One of the blessings of the gospel of Christ is that when we are delivered from this present evil age, we are set free from sin and death. In our sermon this morning, we will learn that we should use our freedom in Christ to persevere for the glory of God. We do so by persevering in generosity, goodness, godliness, and grace.
Persevere in Generosity (6:6-8)
Use your freedom to be generous. We should be generous because all we have received has come from God (1 Cor 4:7). We are to be good stewards of what we have been given (1 Peter 4:10). In Galatians 6, Paul specifies that Christians should be generous towards spiritual leaders. In verse 6, he says, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches” (6:6). Generosity should begin with humility, especially toward those to whom God has placed in authority over you. The writer of Hebrews says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you” (Heb 13:17).
We should be generous toward everyone knowing that our reward is in heaven, not earth.Paul continued, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (6:7-8). When we live selfishly, we will reap heartache and misery. But, if we are generous and live for the glory of God, we will reap an everlasting reward which far exceeds any earthly expectations. When we “sow to the Spirit” we are planting spiritual seeds in our life and in those around us. We have been called to freedom in Christ so let us persevere in generosity towards our fellow Christians. Let us be generous with what has been entrusted to us.
Persevere in Goodness (6:9-10)
Use your freedom to do good. We should be committed to doing good. We should make a habit of being good to others and for the good of others. God understands that this is not easy and He encourages us to not give up because He sees and He will reward. Paul writes, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (6:9). This is one of my favorite verses. Sometimes we wonder if what we are doing even matters. Is anyone listening? Is anyone paying attention? This verse reminds us that God sees all and knows all. We are to do good to everyone, especially for fellow Christians. Paul said, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (6:10). We have been called to freedom in Christ so let us persevere in goodness towards everyone, especially our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us remember that though it will be tough, it is worth it and God will reward perfectly at His time and in His way.
Persevere in Godliness (6:11-15)
Use your freedom to pursue godliness. We are to “walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (5:16). Our works are in pursuit of godliness, otherwise it is just religious hypocrisy. Paul writes, “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh” (6:11-13). In Galatians, Paul is countering the men from Jerusalem who are seeking to get the believers to come under the law. They believe the Galatian men must be circumcised in order to be saved. Paul has spent most of this letter refuting this false teaching and is calling them to boast in Christ, not the law. Jesus is our Redeemer and He makes us a new creation. “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (6:14-15). We have been called to freedom in Christ so let us pursue godliness and persevere in it.
Persevere in Grace (6:16-18)
Use your freedom to grow in grace. Paul next says, “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (6:16-18). Christians grow in grace as we live in the peace and mercy promised to those who follow the rule of the new creation. As a new creation, we live differently than before. God has changed us and our lives reflect this change. We have been called to freedom in Christ so let us not be troubled by our enemies, but delight in our Lord!
Persevere for the Glory of God
In summary, use your freedom to glorify God. How do we glorify God? By loving him and doing what he commands. Jesus gave Himself for our sins “that He might deliver us from this present evil age.” The salvation that Jesus offers is not just “fire insurance” that is payable upon death. Jesus saves us in this present age so that we would be delivered/freed/rescued from this present evil age. This is not a complete removal from the present evil age, but a rescue from its power so that we would function as salt and light in it (Matt 5:13-16). The gospel is “according to the will of our God and Father” and results in God receiving “glory forever and ever. Amen.”Paul is adamant that if the Galatians turn back to the law, they are turning away from Christ. He warns those who “trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (1:7) that they are in danger of being “accursed” (1:9). This isn’t just an angry word from a disappointed apostle, but the just sentence carried out by God upon those who do not obey the gospel (2 Thess 1:8). In this very important book of the Bible, we have seen that it is the gospel of Christ that is the “power of God to salvation for everyone who believes…for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” (Rom 1:16-17). Paul is not ashamed of the gospel and he pleads with the Galatians to live for the glory of God. Let us hear the warning from Paul and take heed. Let us love Christ and His gospel. Let us serve the Lord and worship Him.
First Baptist Scott City, MO 
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