INTERNET BIBLE STUDIES Galatians Lesson 6
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Galatians Chapter 6  

Memory verses for this week: 2 Pet 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 

Introduction:     Last week in Chapter Five, we were encouraged to use our Christian Liberty to accomplish works for the Lord, and not be entangled again in sin which is a yoke of bondage.   Paul explained the works of the flesh, and how they are in direct contrast to the fruit of the spirit.   It seems we just started our study in Galatians, but today marks the last study on this outstanding book.  

I.              God’s Law of Humble Service  

Gal 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

It is important that we care and love one another as Christian brothers and sisters.  If we know Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are brothers to Christ.

Hebrews 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ, which makes God our Heavenly Father.   Being in the family of God, we need to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters to walk worthy of our calling.   And if someone fails, we need to work with that person in love to restore them to full fellowship.   God’s Word says that those that are spiritual are to restore those who fail.   How can we be spiritual?   By walking and living in the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 6:40  The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.  41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

2 Thessalonians 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

1 Cor 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1 Cor 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Cor 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

The reality is that we are all weak and sinful creatures, and we should realize that when a brother or sister is overtaken in a fault, we should realize that it could be us if it were not for the Grace of the Lord.

1 Cor 9:24  Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

1 Cor 9:25  And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

1 Cor 9:26  I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

1 Cor 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

 

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Gal 6:3  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Gal 6:4  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Gal 6:5  For every man shall bear his own burden.

Gal 6:6  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

 We are commanded to help bear one another’s burdens.  I’ve mentioned a saying my friend Kaye Noppen had.  She said that Christians were especially blessed, because God designed us to help one another.   A burden shared is half a burden, but joy shared is double the joy.   That is so true.  We don’t know how heavy a burden may be to a fellow Christian when either they or a family member is suffering through an illness.   Or when we lose a loved one, we need to be there to help and encourage.   Sometimes the right word makes a big difference, but your presence says more many times than our words.   Loving and caring makes the difference.   Some burdens are so great that only Jesus Himself can carry the load.

Prov 15:23  A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

James 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

The scriptures clearly teach that we are to be responsible as Christians and bear up to whatever besets us in life.   And when we do that, God is pleased.  We should certainly fellowship one with the other in regards to teaching God’s Word.

Matthew Henry had these comments about helping to carry our brother’s burden.

We are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to his example. It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions.

 

II.               Sowing and Reaping

Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Gal 6:8  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 

No matter how intelligent we may become, we never reach the point where we can mock God.  I had a lengthy conversation with a man yesterday who had lost his faith in the Lord due to the illnesses that had befallen his parents.   The man had previously been a soldier in God’s army, and had now switched uniforms and was trying his best to as “anti-Christ” as he could be.   Using the very lessons we are taught in the first of this chapter, I tried by patience and scripture to prove to him that God has reasons for all things.  Our limited minds see the here and now, but God is eternal.   His ways are beyond finding out.   And if the man could only see how much God had blessed him to be raised by such fine parents, he would be finding comfort now in the Lord, versus being turned against God due to circumstances.   Job was a righteous and outstanding man, one that eschewed evil the bible says.  But look what God allowed to befall him.  But in the end, the latter end of Job was greater than the beginning.  And his character was proven by the fire of the trials.   All of Christ’s disciples except one died a martyr’s death.   Does that seem like the kind of love that Jesus talked about.   But we know Jesus loved those disciples so much.  Their deaths marked them in special honor forever.  We can’t comprehend everything of the Lord, but turning our backs on Him will never make God a liar.  As the scripture says, God can not be mocked.  If we live righteously, God blesses that.   If we live in sin, God judges that so that He will always be righteous.   Whatever we sow in this life, we will reap.   And as the farmer proves in sowing normal crops, not only do you reap what you sow, but you reap after you sow, and you reap more than you sow.    I heard Charles Stanley preaching on this a few weeks ago, and he said even if we sin and then repent, God will forgive us our sin.   But the crops will still come up.   The bad things in King David’s life really came to haunt him as the sword never departed from his house all the days of his life.  Our best plan of action is to live for God and live righteously, planting good seeds of joy that will reap us joy in days ahead.   Anything done for God will provide blessings to us many times over.   We shouldn’t work to receive rewards, but God is not unfaithful to remember our labor of love towards Him.

 

Here are some verses of men reaping what they sowed:

Lot Sowing:

Genesis 13:10  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

 

Lot Reaping:

Genesis 19:12 And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: 13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. 14 And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.

15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.   16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. 17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 18 And Lot said unto them, Oh, not so, my Lord: 19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: 20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. 21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.  22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.  23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. 

24 Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven;

Jacob Sowing:

Gen 27:1  And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.

Gen 27:2  And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Gen 27:3  Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Gen 27:4  And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Gen 27:5  And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

Gen 27:6  And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

Gen 27:7  Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

Gen 27:8  Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

Gen 27:9  Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

Gen 27:10  And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

Gen 27:11  And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

Gen 27:12  My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.

Gen 27:13  And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Gen 27:14  And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.

Gen 27:15  And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:

Gen 27:16  And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:

Gen 27:17  And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

Gen 27:18  And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?

Gen 27:19  And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy firstborn; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.

Gen 27:20  And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought it to me.

Gen 27:21  And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

Gen 27:22  And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.

Gen 27:23  And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

Gen 27:24  And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.

Gen 27:25  And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank.

Gen 27:26  And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

Gen 27:27  And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

Jacob Reaping:

Genesis 29:20  And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. 21 And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. 22 And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her. 24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid. 25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

David Sowing:

2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.  2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. 3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?  4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.  5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

David Reaping:

2 Samuel 12:1  And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. 2 The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: 3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  4 And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. 5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  6 And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; 8 And I gave thee thy master’s house, and thy master’s wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. 16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.  17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?  19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. 21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

What we learn from all these examples is that you can’t win when you sin.  It brings you down, and you aren’t free, but rather are under bondage.

Gal 6:9  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Gal 6:10  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Even when we get to feeling down, we are commanded to not be discouraged in well doing.  Believe me, Satan will find ways to try and discourage us.   Many times we discourage one another rather than encouraging ourselves on.   We must learn patience.   We will reap in due time at the proper season if we hang in there and don’t give up.  

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Eccl 8:11  Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Eccl 8:12  Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:

Eccl 8:13  But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 

Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed immediate, men do evil.   The reality is that it is always right to do good.

 

Heb 13:16  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

1 Pet 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

1 Pet 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

 

III.             Glory in the Cross

Gal 6:11  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.

Gal 6:12  As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

Gal 6:13  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

When we really stand for the Lord and have loyalty to the cross, it may require that we suffer for it.  As a matter of fact, when you stand strong, it is a certainty that you will suffer persecution.

Paul warned young Timothy that persecution would come if he lived Godly.

2 Tim 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

2 Tim 3:11  Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

2 Tim 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Tim 3:13  But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

2 Tim 3:14  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

2 Tim 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation 

Paul was a man who had the right to boast about worldly things.  Paul had zeal and was not ashamed of his religion or his organization being a Pharisee. 

Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law,  blameless.

But he didn’t count none of that too important, but counted it all loss for Christ’s sake.

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,  9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Gal 6:14  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.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Paul said that God forbid that he should glory in anything, save the cross.   By looking to the Cross of Christ, Paul was able to crucified the world that tried to bring him down.  The cross is the only way a man can be separated from the world and be used in the service of God.   Those who walk according to this rule will have peace that only God can give.

IV.  Bearing the Marks of Christ

Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Gal 6:17  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Gal 6:18  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Paul had many marks that were caused by his stand for the Lord Jesus Christ.  Do you have marks that show you stand for Christ?   I can’t say I have one scar caused by my stand for God.    

2 Corinthians 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily,  the care of all the churches.  

I’ve never given money or talents to the cause of Christ that cost me so much that I might miss a meal.  But others have, such as the widow who cast in all her money into the offering plate. 

Luke 21:1  And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.

Luke 21:2  And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.

Luke 21:3  And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:

Luke 21:4  For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

 

We need to be dedicated to the cause of Christ, and if chosen to suffer, do so willingly that it might glorify the Lord.

 

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Prov 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

 

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