Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

(ESV)

STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?

  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The previous passage deals with restoring a brother who sins against you. Now Peter asks, “how often should I forgive a brother who sins against me?” At the time, Rabbis taught to forgive three times. Peter is being very generous when he suggests seven times. Jesus shows that God’s way of grace far surpasses our best generosity when He says seventy-seven times.

Then Jesus answers more than Peter’s question with a parable. A king wants to settle accounts with his servants. A servant is brought to him who owes ten thousand talents. A talent was the largest unit of currency and ten thousand was the largest single number the Greeks could express. This was an un-payable debt that could be likened today to R10 billion owed by someone who earned R150 a day. The king is moved by the servants apparently sincere to pay back the debt even though he has no means to do so and he grants him relief. This represents the enormity of God’s grace and forgiveness. That same, forgiven, servant goes out and finds a fellow servant who owes him one hundred denarii. This was a payable debt of 100 days wages, or about R15,000 owed by someone who earned R150 a day. This second servant also pleads and pledges to repay the debt but the first servant has no mercy and has his fellow servant thrown in prison until he can repay the debt. News of this interaction reaches the king who has the first servant thrown in prison because he did not show the same mercy he had been shown.

This clearly teaches that we are not to forgive others because those who have wronged us are able to adequately repay what they have done. We are to forgive them because we have been forgiven. We are to forgive the comparatively little (no matter how great the offence or sin) against us because of the great forgiveness (we have sinned against an eternal and holy God) that we have received. If we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us from the consequences of our daily sins. God will punish and discipline us while we continue to harbour unforgiveness in our hearts. Who do you need to forgive today?

Matthew 18:15-20

15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


This passage outlines the procedure that should be followed whenever one believer sins against another believer. The first step is implied, that is to forgive the one who has sinned against you. Forgiveness is not reliant on the other party’s repentance but on the forgiveness we have received (Mat Mat 18:21-35—tomorrow). The point of this exercise is to bring the offending brother to repentance and restoration because fellowship is broken.

The first step in restoration is to approach the offender and explain to them what they have done. The objective is for them to recognise their offence and make amends. Because you, the offended, have already made the decision of forgiveness this should be a quick win and you have gained your brother through restored friendship and fellowship.

But if they do not acknowledge their fault then you are to take along another believer or two with you. The aim at this point is to have objective witnesses to the truth who can help arbitrate between the two and help in bringing about reconciliation.

Finally, if the offender refuses to listen to them, then the whole church needs to get involved. At this point, the entire body of local believers works together to bring social pressure against the offender. If they will not listen to the entire group (who have collectively agreed that there is fault) then they are to be removed from the fellowship of the church and treated as an unbeliever. This final act is designed to bring them to their senses about what they have done. To allow the unrepentant believer to remain within the fellowship of the church just encourages others to sin more freely. As soon as the offender repents, they are to be received and restored (having come this far, the restoration processes may need a little time. It is always better to have things resolved as early as possible).

The final part of this passage speaks of the binding nature of the church’s decision. The church has the authority to make the call to eject someone from the fellowship and that decision made on earth is seen as binding in heaven. When more than one believer gets together and seeks Christ’s guidance in handling the authority given them as the church, then Christ promises to be there with them.

Having a procedure to follow when we find ourselves in a situation where we have been offended doesn’t make it easy to deal with. It is always difficult to deal with an offence. It takes courage to confront someone because we never know how we will be received. If we don’t deal with offences against us, then we are far more likely to grow in bitterness and the fellowship of the body breaks down. Who has sinned against you that you need to go and restore relationship with?

Matthew 18:1-14

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

“Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


The disciples are concerned about who will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. They are concerned about status, rank, and power. What they have missed is the God-ordained way that those things are achieved, which is humility. Jesus answers their question by focusing on a child. Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. They were not asking about entering the kingdom but Jesus reminds them that in order to enter the kingdom, we need to turn away from the skeptical, anti-grace ideas that plague most adults and have the open belief that is easy for a child. Humility determines greatness in God’s kingdom.

Jesus continues to use the child as a symbol of the humble believer and says whoever shows kindness to them embraces and honours Christ. Pride and ambition cause us to treat other believers badly and dishonour Christ.

There is a strong warning to anyone who would set up a child (or new believer) to sin and fall in their faith. It is quite despicable to set up a stumbling block in the path of an unsuspecting child. To do that on a spiritual level is worse. The penalty for such behaviour is so severe it would be better for the person to drown himself in the depths of the sea.

Sin is serious and needs to be dealt with seriously. Jesus is not advocating self-mutilation as if cutting off your hand or foot could actually fix your sin problem—only changing your heart can do that. But we should take sin seriously. We must be equally serious about things that cause others to sin and things that cause us to sin ourselves. We can apply this to our lives in how seriously we deal with things that cause us to sin. When we have things that cause temptation in our lives, how seriously do we take it? Are you willing to go to extreme lengths to remove the temptation or do you make excuses and allow the temptation to remain? What are you keeping around that keeps tripping you up? Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of it to deal with the temptation completely?

Do not despise the little child (or the new believer). God is not partial. He is concerned about each and every believer. While we are focussed on status and who is greatest, God is focussed on the least. God is so concerned over every believer that He would leave the 99 to go after the little believer who has strayed in order to rescue and restore them. Let us not be concerned about those who appear great, or worse, about being great, but let us look after the little ones in God’s kingdom.

Matthew 17:22-27

22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
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💡How to do your quiet time


Jesus tells them again that He will soon be delivered into the hands of men who will kill him, and He will be raised on the third day. They seem to only hear the first part of what Jesus says each time He tells them. Maybe that’s why He had to tell them a few times to prepare them. Sometimes we too need to hear the same truth a few times before we accept it. What has God been trying to teach you lately that you’re not accepting yet?

In Capernaum, Peter is approached and asked if Jesus doesn’t pay the two-drachma (half a shekel) tax. This was an annual tax paid by every Jewish male to the temple. Peter simply replies “yes” and goes off in search of Jesus. Before Peter even tells Jesus what happened, Jesus asks him a question that shows Jesus does not need to pay the tax. Kings on earth don’t take tax from their family, they take tax from the people. Jesus did not owe the temple tax to the religious authorities on His Father’s house. He was not a subject of the King; He was the Son of the King. But Jesus also knew that not paying the tax would cause offence to many. Some might think He opposed the tax for all. Some might think he despised the temple and its worship. He showed support for the temple even though He would render it obsolete by His death and resurrection. He sent Peter fishing and told him he’d find enough money for both of their tax in the mouth of the first fish he caught. There are some situations where it’s better not to assert our own rights. Sometimes it’s better to lay aside your rights in order not to cause offence and have a better opportunity to share the gospel (1 Cor 9:19-23). Jesus also showed that for those who serve Him, He is able to supply some of our needs from some very unlikely sources. In what ways might your entitlements be getting in the way of you being an effective witness for God?

Matthew 17:14-21

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” [21 But this kind never comes out except by prayer and fasting.]

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


When Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James, and John, He encountered a crowd. A man had brought his son who suffered from what appears to be epilepsy brought on by demon possession to be healed. The remaining nine disciples had attempted to cast the demon out but had been unable to heal him. Jesus had given them the authority to heal (Mat 10:1) but at this time they were unable to.

Jesus’ response seems harsh but it was more likely one of deep concern. He was burdened as He looked at a people who were suffering from the effects of sin and battling because of their lack of faith. Jesus told the demon to leave and immediately it left. Then the disciples asked Him why they could not cast it out.

Jesus explains that it is their lack of faith that is hindering them from doing what God has charged them to do. God has given us work to do for Him but it will not be accomplished through us trying harder, it is accomplished through faith. Living in dependence on God is living with the expectation that He will do through you all that He calls you to do (Phil 2:13). If God wills that you move a mountain, then with just a little faith, you can move it. But faith must be developed, and that is done through prayer and the discipline of spending time in God’s word. How is your faith? Do you live expecting that God will work through you? Are you spending enough time in the Bible and in prayer (God working in you) to develop your faith?

Matthew 17:1-13

And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Six days after Jesus spoke to the disciples about his pending suffering, death and resurrection, He took Peter, James, and John up a mountain. These are the ones He had said would not die before they “see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.” On that mountain, he was transfigured (the word we get metamorphosis from). Jesus’ divine glory, which until that point had been veiled (Phil 2:6-8) was now revealed in His brilliantly radiant face and the snowy whiteness of His clothes. The description of His face shining like the sun is similar to the description John gave of Jesus in Revelation 1:16.

Jesus was joined by two Old Testament men of faith, Moses who represents the law, and Elijah representing the prophets. Luke wrote that they testified to his coming death (Luke 9:31). This interaction helped Peter to know that Jesus pending death was not the end of the kingdom, but the pathway to it.

Peter suggests that he make tents for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. He is thinking of the feast of tabernacles (or booths, or tents) which was an annual event where the Jews would live in tents to remind them of their wandering in the wilderness and look forward to God’s blessing in the land of rest (in the Millennial time of rest). Peter may have expected this time to last a while before the inauguration of the kingdom. He still hadn’t fully grasped that the kingdom was not coming at that time as he expected.

God spoke out of a cloud declaring, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” This is confirmation for Peter that Jesus is the Christ as he had previously professed, but also a reminder that Peter is to listen to Him—even though what He says doesn’t seem to line up with his expectations. Having heard the voice of God, Peter, James, and John rightly fall flat on their faces. At that moment everything returns back to normal and Jesus gently touched them and invited them to get up without fear.

Jesus told them not to speak of what they had seen until after He had risen. News of what had happened might cause others to wrongly expect the kingdom to arrive then or it might have caused the Jews to crucify Jesus sooner. Whatever the reason, the disciples were free to tell others after Jesus had risen again which would have added reassurance of his coming again as King in the future.

Having just seen Elijah, they now ask Jesus about the prophecy that Elijah must come first to “restore all things” before the kingdom is established. Jesus explained that Elijah had already come, which the disciples recognise was John the Baptist. He also indicated that, because John the Baptist’s ministry had been rejected, Elijah will still come and restore all things. That will happen during the Tribulation, just before the second coming (Mal 4:5; Rev 11:6).

This time with Jesus was accompanied with lots of “don’t tell anyone” because Jesus death and resurrection as saviour was still a mystery. But that mystery has now been fully revealed. We have the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose again in victory over sin. He will come back in glory at which point it will be too late for those who have not believed. Who can you tell today about the good news of Jesus?

Matthew 16:21-28

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
  • How do I apply this to my life?

💡How to do your quiet time


Jesus began to explain to the disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, suffer, die, and be raised. Without this, the Father’s will and the salvation of people could not be accomplished. Peter was still focussed on the idea that Jesus was going to establish His kingdom immediately and Jesus’ death didn’t fit in his paradigm. Peter, who had just been commended for recognising the truth (“You are the Christ”) is now rebuked for resisting the truth. Satan was behind Peter’s opposition. If Jesus had listened to Peter and not gone to the cross, then none of us could be saved. Sometimes (maybe more often than not) God’s ways don’t line up with our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) as we see in the very next paragraph. May we not be too bold and declare how God should act based on our point of view but may we humbly obey His Word and trust Him completely to do what is best.

Following Jesus is about delayed gratification. The world says “you can have it all now.” Jesus says, “deny yourself now and you will be rewarded in heaven.” The world promises wealth that might last as long as you live (Jas 4:14). Jesus promises wealth that will last eternity—but you must deny yourself in this life. Live for now and you might receive the glory of men. Live for Jesus and “He will repay each person according to what he has done.” To maximise this life is to live for self in the dog-eat-dog world where the rich get richer and everyone else doesn’t matter. To maximise reward for eternity is to deny yourself, take up your cross (every day—Luke 9:23) and follow Jesus.

Verse 28 seems difficult to understand because all of Jesus’ disciples have died and Jesus still hasn’t returned in His Kingdom. But three of the disciples (Peter, James, and John) got to see Jesus in the full glory that He will one day return in on the mount of transfiguration (the next chapter). Peter later referred to this event as the “power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:16).

Matthew 16:13-20

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
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💡How to do your quiet time


Jesus asks His disciples who the people say that He is. Their reply shows that the people have recognised that He is not an ordinary man. Like John, He preached repentance. Like Elijah, He was mighty in prayer and in performing miracles. Like Jeremiah, He was rejected by His generation. But non of those is adequate. Israel had failed to identify Him as the Messiah even though they had recognised that there was something supernatural about His ministry.

So Jesus asks who they think that He is. Peter replies on their behalf and acknowledges that Jesus is indeed the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus applauds him for his recognition of the truth and explains that his answer has come directly from the Father’s revelation to him.

Today we see many ideas about who Jesus was/is. Many consider Him to have been a good man, a prophet, or a key character in history. But what is most important is who you believe Him to be. If your understanding of who Jesus is is inadequate, then you will miss His true significance—that He is the Son of God, who died on the cross for your sins, to give you eternal life, that can only be obtained through Him.

Jesus then begins to reveal the mystery of His kingdom program on earth. Peter’s name in greek was “rock”, so Jesus’ response was, “You are rock (Petros), and on this rock (Petra), I will build my church…”. There are a number of understandings of what Jesus meant when He said this. The most likely is that Jesus was indicating that Peter would lead the church as it was born, and that the church would be established on his proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah. Peter is the “rock” who would lead the church that would be built on Jesus, the “Rock”. Peter later acknowledges that Jesus is the secure foundation, the Cornerstone and that he and the apostles were merely stones built on that foundation (see 1 Peter 2:4-8).

Peter was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven in the sense that he was given the opportunity to reveal the truth of the gospel and open the kingdom to the Jews (Acts 2:38-42), then the Samaritans (Acts 8:14-17) and then the Gentiles (Acts 10:34-48).

Jesus told the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ because His plan was still not fully revealed. They still didn’t understand that He wasn’t there to establish an earthly kingdom, but was there to die for the sins of the world.

While Peter was specifically given the keys to the kingdom of God as the founder of the church, we too have been given the keys. We are able to unlock the kingdom of heaven for others by telling them who Jesus is. Who do you know who needs this unlocked for them? Pray now that God would give you an opportunity to speak the truth of the gospel with them and the boldness to use that opportunity.

Galatians 6:11-18

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 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. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

(ESV)

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  • What is the writer saying?
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💡How to do your quiet time


Paul’s letters were written by a scribe while he dictated. At the end of his letters, he sometimes wrote a personal conclusion as he did here. Writing in large letters could be a sign of emphasis as he concluded. It could also be because he suffered from an eye condition (see Gal 4:15).

Paul’s conclusion re-emphasises his warning that we stay away from legalism. The Judaizers pushed for circumcision because it was an outward sign that they had succeeded in getting converts and could boast in their results. The problem was that even they were unable to keep the law—no one can. Their motivation was to avoid the persecution that came from the true gospel. Paul wasn’t interested in boasting except to boast in Jesus Christ through whole the world was crucified to him and he to the world. There is no spiritual significance to circumcision or uncircumcision. The only thing of spiritual significance is the new creation. As believers, we are a part of a new creation (2 Cor 5:17) and we should live in light of that truth. We must live as children of God, prepare for ruling with Christ, and expect His imminent return.
Does that summarise how you live? Are you living as a child of God? Are you sowing to the Spirit, expecting to reap reward one day in heaven? Are you living with the expectation that Christ could return at any moment?

Galatians 6:6-10

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

(ESV)

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Paul reminds us that we should share all good things with those who dedicate themselves to teaching us the word. As part of our giving back to God, we must pay our pastors for the work they do in our local church.

The principle of sowing and reaping is so important. It is an illustration from farming. The farmer sows wheat seeds and rightly expects wheat to grow. In the same way, if we plant what is displeasing to God, then we will reap God’s displeasure and the consequences of that displeasure. However, if we plant what is pleasing to God (walking in the Spirit) then we reap eternal life. It is important to remember that Paul is writing to believers so he cannot be using “corruption” and “eternal life” to refer to eternal punishment and eternal salvation. Our salvation is always secure. Our reaping is the consequences of our sowing, now, in the future, and especially when we are considered for reward at the Bema Seat of Christ. Paul encourages us not to grow weary of doing good because we will reap “if we do not give up.” This is another pointer to the fact that he cannot be speaking of eternal salvation because that is not something we receive by not giving up in any kind of work—it is ours by faith alone. We will be rewarded if we persevere in good works toward everyone, especially to our fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, “those who are of the household of faith.”