The Royal Law    Galatians 6

Judaizers had convinced Galatians they needed to believe in Christ plus the Law of Moses and circumcision to be saved.  Paul's write to help them see that this was a false gospel.

CHAPTER SIX IS A "OH YEAH" CHAPTER

- It is like just before you get off the phone remember that there are some things that you want to say, you might say, "Oh Yeah, I want to tell you…."

I.  Paul's Oh Yeah" List

A. Paul addresses the problem with the Judaizers one more time.

 Ga 6:12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.
 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh.

B. Support those who teach well

Ga 6:6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Maybe the Galatians were giving to the Judaizers and the teachers who were still teaching by the Holy Spirit were being neglected financially.

- The value of understanding context-
Because we know what was happening in the church in Galatians it is easy to see this possible application of this verse, and how the spiritual teachers may be hurting with lack of support.

C. Don't give up!

Ga 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

1. Hey, life is tough
2. Church can be tough
3. DON'T GIVE UP - KEEP MOVING FORWARD
4. HARVEST WILL COME!

II. MAIN POINT FROM CHAPTER SIX

Ga 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
 2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

A. General Application:
1.) Be willing to be used of God to restore the fallen.
2.) Method is gentleness/ focus on restraint (Actually wanting to restore not punish)
3.) Guard yourself in process of correction (Devil knows this is a prime time to suggest pride)
B. Specific Application in light of the context of  the prior 5 chapters.

1. Paul may have been speaking to the Galatians who had not been led astray by the Judaizers.
2. Paul knew that there were 3 audiences here.

#1. The Judaizers
- They were deliberately twisting the truth of the Gospel in order to avoid persecution Gal 6:12
-  Paul spoke very harshly to them

1. are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
2. If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!
3. false brothers had infiltrated our ranks
4. Ga 5:12 As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

#2. The Galatians that were deceived
The Galatians that were deceived were foolish but not deliberately sinning.
This is why Paul uses the Greek word translated trespass in NKJV.  (Just sin in NIV)

- Parabasis = Willful overstepping a clear boundary
- Paraptoma = Is a misstep, not as deliberate - and focusing on the effect of the sin(relationship break) rather than the sin itself.

- Just as Paul states in Gal 6:1 he speaks tenderly to them.

1. Ga 4:14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
2. Ga 4:19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,
3. Ga 5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view.

#3. The Galatians who have not believed the Judaizers different gospel.

Ga 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently…

1. "You who are spiritual"
2. Judaizers and deceived Galatians were of the flesh
3. Paul addresses those who are still walking with the Holy Spirit

Remnant:  God always has a remnant
- You may be that remnant at work
- You may be that remnant at home
-  Even in liberal church there are those who still uphold the truth of God's word.

Paul was calling them who had not fallen, to seek to restore those that had fallen.

He calls each one of us to be ready to bring truth…

ATTITUDE OF RESTORATION: Gentleness

Humility/ True goal of restoration not punishment

- Paul knew they had probably had church gatherings to talk about this. 

"IS PAUL RIGHT - ARE THE JUDAIZERS RIGHT?"  BIG DEBATE

- Everybody takes sides and it gets ugly
- Paul was not only concerned that they believe him , but also that relationships in that church were not destroyed.

C.  Paul adds this reasoning:

Ga 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

HELP EACH OTHER THROUGH THIS

IT IS NOT ABOUT SOME WINNING AND SOME LOOSING.

LET"S ALL MAKE IT THROUGH!

1. Paul mentions THE LAW OF CHRIST

Paul contrasts this to the LAW OF MOSES

There are three similar Laws Mentioned in the New Testament

1. The Law of Christ
2. The Law of Liberty
3. The Royal Law

The Law of Christ

Ga 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

What law or commands did Jesus establish?

Joh 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Joh 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

Law of Moses = condemnation and judgment
Law of Jesus =  Love each other

The Law of Liberty

Jas 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom (The Law of Liberty), and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.

Jas 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom (The Law of Liberty),  13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Ro 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,  2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

1. If you have been set free from guilt and given grace
2. Don't hold others guilty either - give grace

The Royal Law

 Jas 2:8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.

Old Testament:

De 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Le 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

Jesus gives this revelation

Mt 22:35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Mr 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"  29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'  31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."  32 "Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.  33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."  34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God.

Ga 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Startling Conclusion:

Love is the fulfillment of the law

Ro 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Law of Moses contrasted with:
Law of liberty
Law of Christ
Royal Law

1. Law can not be fulfilled by human effort
2. Effort to keep law always result in failure
3. Failure results in condemnation and hiding from God

- Law of Moses has been fulfilled in Christ
- And can be fulfilled in us only when we draw close to Jesus by the Holy Spirit

And when we choose to let love rule our relationships.

Examples of living out the royal law

1. Adultery?

Legalistic perspective:
What do I stand to lose?

Royal Law Perspective
Who will I hurt? What relationship will I violate?  Will this show love to my wife and kids?

2. Speeding

Legalistic perspective
I might get caught?
I might have to pay a fine?
I might be embarrassed?
It is wrong to break the law

Royal Law Perspective
Speeding might take another persons life
I put them above my need to speed.

HOW CAN LOVE rule my life, glorify God and help me do what is right?

Ro 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.