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 AWKWARD (GALATIANS 6:11-18)

Paul gives a final warning to the Galatian churches concerning fake teachers and admonishes them to remain focused on their salvation in Christ. 

REFLECTION 

Awkward is the theme for our reflection today. For the purpose of our reflection, Awkward means causing problems or creating a difficult situation. Paul warns the Churches in Galatia that fake teachers who stress circumcision and a strict application of the law of Moses in addition to salvation in Christ create or cause an awkward situation for the gentile believers in Galatia. Their teaching is self-serving and centred on their pride. It rather creates a burdensome or difficult situation for the believers in Galatia hence Paul warns the Churches at Galatia that “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. 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.” (Galatians 6:12-13).  In other words, Paul is saying that you cannot be saved through righteousness of the law, yet this was what the fake teachers were teaching, the law rather placed a burden on believers and made them subject to the direction of the fake teachers who Judaizers rather than Apostles of Christ who should stress salvation in Christ alone and nothing else.

Christians must reject any teaching that will make our faith awkward or challenging to anyone who wants to come to Jesus and be saved. Jesus is the only foundation for our salvation and nothing else. It is for this reason Paul admonished the Galatian churches that “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. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:14-16). In other words, we rejoice and are proud that through the sacrifice of Christ we are no longer under the law but we are new creations through faith in Christ. Christian churches should guard against doctrines and teachings that remove Jesus from the centre of our faith and place much attention on human efforts and achievements. The only reason for which a believer can be boastful is his or her new creation which was achieved through the cross of Christ. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone! Any church tradition and doctrine that is not centred on Christ is awkward and creates challenges or problems towards the spiritual growth and faith formation of the believers in that church. A Christian is encouraged to take his or her Bible studies seriously in order to identify these awkward teachings and traditions, break free from them and boast of his or her salvation in Christ only. Shalom. 

PRAYER 

HOLY SPIRIT, LEAD THE CHURCH TO FOCUS ON CHRIST AS THE CENTRE OF SALVATION. MAY WE NOT DEVELOP ANY AWKWARD DOCTRINES AND TRADITIONS THAT WILL BE AN IMPEDIMENT TO THE GOSPEL AND SALVATION OF THE WORLD. AMEN

Jean-Paul Agidi (Rev)