Man's Best versus God's Best

Scripture: John 13:34-35

C.I.: Working for “God's Best”

Today we conclude this series…. – While Paul has impressed upon us that no works that we can do will save us -
he nevertheless lets us know that those who are seeking God's best have work to do.

I. Walking the Walk of God's Best, (Galatians 6:1-10)

A. The Walk of Caring & Sharing, (vs. 1-6)

1. ( vs. 1-2 ), “Finally, brethren, if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual...

a. “Legalists” (strive for “Man's Best”) are not interested in bearing burdens – but in adding to them.
1) Jesus said, ( Matt. 23:4 ), “They tie up heavy loads, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they
themselves are unwilling to move them with s much as a finger.”
2) No wonder He said, ( Matt. 11:28 ), “Come unto Me, all who are weary & heavy-laden,….”

b. Those who “walk by the Spirit” ( Gal. 5:25; Rom. 8:5 ), differ in a couple of ways from the legalist…
1) Different aim: Restoration versus exploitation. – The spiritual seeks to help/restore the
brother, ( cf. 5:22 ). – Legalists will use the erring to make themselves look good ( Lk. 18:9-14 ).
2) Different attitude: the spiritual approach the erring in “gentleness” and love. – For legalists
is pride & condemnation. – They don't believe they need to “look to themselves” since they
don't believe they would ever commit such a sin, ( cf. I Cor. 10:12 ).

c. Every single one of us is currently fighting our own private battles. – Satan's biggest weapon against us
is our own pride! We fear what others might think if they were to discover our problems!!! WRONG!
1) From the 1 st word of the Lord's prayer ( “Our” ) – to all the “one another” passages ( Jn.
14:34; Rom. 12:10; Gal. 5:13; Heb. 3:13; Jms. 5:16.
2) God put us all together in His church – because He knows we need each other!!!

2. ( vs. 3-5 ), “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. – But let each one
examine his own work, then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to
another. – For each one shall bear his own load.

a. It's easy to find someone we can compare ourselves to – that will make us look good (legalists did it!!).
1) ( II Cor. 10:12 ), “…when they compare themselves w/themselves, they are w/o understanding.
2) While the legalist doesn't mind making someone else look bad – the spiritual won't do it!!

b. Burden v. 2 = weight; Load v. 5 = soldier's pack, help others & take care of our own responsibility .

B. The Walk of Sowing & Reaping, (vs. 7-10)

1. Those who sow to their sinful desires shall reap death, ( vs. 7-8a ), “Do not be deceived, God is not
mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. – For the one who sows to his own flesh, shall
from the flesh reap corruption, - but the one who sows to the Spirit shall reap eternal life.”
a. The 3 laws of sowing & reaping:
1) You reap WHAT you sow – Sin takes a physical & spiritual toll, ( 5:19-21 ), “Deeds of flesh...”
2) You reap MORE than you sow – fruit of Righteousness. ( Eph. 1:3 ).
3) You reap LATER than you sow – ( II Cor. 5:10 ), “For we must all stand before….”

II. Talking the Talk, (vs. 11-18)

A. Legalists Talk about the “Externals,” (vs. 11-13)

1. Three descriptions of the legalists…, ( vs. 12-13 )

a. They are braggarts! – “to make a good showing,” v. 12a – “that they may boast,” ( v. 13b ).
1) The spiritual individual knows – everything they have they received from God – ( I Cor. 4:7 ),
“What do you have that you did not receive? – And if you received it, why do you boast as if…

b. They are cowards! – “…try to compel you to be circumcised, simply that they may not be
persecuted for the cross of Christ.”
1) They preached circumcision – but not all the rest that went with it!
2) Circumcision was how someone entered into God's O.T. covenant – but MORE is required.
3) ( Gal. 5:3; 3:10 ), “…every man who received C. is under obligation…” “Cursed is everyone…

c. They are hypocrites! – They want others to do – what they themselves don't/won't do!
1) “…For those who are circumcised, do not even keep the law themselves.”
2) Jesus said of the legalists in His day, ( Matt. 23:3 ), “…for they say things & do not do them.”

B. Paul Keeps Returning to the Cross! ( vs. 14-16 ) – The cross that is the single greatest motivator for faith!

1. The Person of the cross! – ( v. 14a ), “May it never be that I should boast, - except in the cross of our Lord J. C.”
a. Jesus is mentioned over 45x in Galatians. – Thus, 1/3 of all the verses refer to Jesus!!!
b. “Legalists” point to themselves & how wonderful they are. – Christians would never do this!
c. ( I Cor. 2:2 ), “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

2. The power of the cross! - “... thru which the world has been crucified to me & I to the world,” ( v. 14b ).
a. For the believer the cross means freedom; from self ( 2:20 ),the flesh ( 5:24 ), the world ( 6:14 ).
b. If our outlook determines our outcome! – The cross sets us apart from sin & ourselves.

3. The purpose of the cross! – “For neither circumcision is anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new cre.,” ( v. 15 ).
a. The purpose of the cross was to bring mankind back into a peaceful relationship with God.
b. Those who come to God through their faith in the cross become new – ( II Cor. 5:17 ).
c. In Christ, the “New Israel of God” - receives His peace & mercy !

CONCLUSIONS:

1. Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians – by telling the practical sort of works - people of faith will do (review) .

2. So, if we are “in Christ Jesus” we are “new creation” v. 16 . – So how do we get “into Christ” ? – Gal. 3:27!!!