Galatians 6:15-16 Only a New Creation Matters
Galatians 6:15-16 For neither is circumcision anything nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Outward deeds and appearances are not important when it comes to godliness, as Paul discussed as well in Colossians 2:16-23. Do not boast in one or the other. Neither one is what is important. It is the same today in areas such as what day of the week we worship on. This is not important, but rather that we come to the Lord with worshipful hearts. It is also not a place to boast that you have been baptized or you have not been baptized. Paul specifically did not baptize in Corinth so that no one would boast that they had been baptized by him and so were better than anyone else (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
Now, I am not saying that Christ does not require baptism of those who follow Him—if you fail to be baptized you walk in disobedience to Christ’s lordship—a sure sign of an unrepentant heart. Rather, the essential issue to eternal life is not whether or not you have been baptized in water, but that you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit: born again—regenerated by the Holy Spirit unto life (cf. John 3:3, 5-8). This is the only way to godliness.
Therefore, if you walk in this, may God’s peace and mercy be upon you and all “the Israel of God.” If you have experienced the new creation, you have the right to have peace with God and hope in His mercy. You no longer have to fear judgment, for “perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love” (1 John 4:18). Those who are a new creation are also those who trust in Christ alone to be their wrath-bearing sacrifice with God. They can trust that God will not condemn them on the Day of Judgment, but that they will be found in His favor.
Now, when Paul speaks of “the Israel of God,” He is speaking of the Church—the true Israel, the true descendents of Abraham. Only the Church has the right to have peace with God and mercy from Him, for She alone is in right-standing with the Son. Therefore Paul wishes, as we should as well, that peace and mercy be upon the universal Church. This universal, or catholic Church (to be distinguished from the Roman Catholic Church) is made up of all Christians everywhere—Jews and Gentiles, abiding in the North, South, East, or West.
As the Israel of God, the Church has thus received the promises of God to Abraham and his descendents in the Old Testament, through Christ; for those in the Church are the descendents of Abraham. This is a great truth! We can thus stand assured that God will keep all His promises to us and that we are “the apple of His eye.” We are the true Israel in Christ.
posted by Lenny @ 12:45 AM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I was totally jiving with your entry and then hit a bit of a pothole so I felt compelled to post a little comment. You said that "only the church has the right to peace with God and His mercy" (i'm quoting from memory so I apologize if it is not exact). I agree that only those who stand righteous in Christ before God experience true peace with Him...but I'm under the impression that God's mercy extends far beyond the community of believers. In fact, God's judgment, even on the heathen, is never completely void of His mercy. So while the church receives unique aspects of the Lord's mercy, as a whole constantly lives under the unceasing outflow of it...even if many are too blind to see. Thoughts?
Thy mercy my God is the theme of my song!
Rene, could you qualify? I can see how I could disagree or agree depending on what you mean by God's mercy being even in his judgments... that's something I don't see in hell or killing wrath.
Somewhat related: http://www.biggergod.com/killer.html
Grace and peace, sister!
Aaron
Aaron to qualify...
Mercy can be seen even with hell and killing wrath by being delayed and people given the chance to repent. As we are born in sin, we deserve damnation the moment we're born. Yet God's wrath is with held in hopes of our hearts doing a U-turn toward Christ. I was thinking more along the lines of judgment during the prophets' time though when I wrote that comment. I've been reading Lamatations and int he dead center of this book on the unfaithfulness of Israel and God's wrath that has been poured out through the exile, etc...comes 3:21-22: "Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions (or mercies) never fail. they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." His mercies are new every morning...and those are felt by the faithful and the unfaithful. I think about the Psalms that speak of God causing the rain to fall on the just and the unjust...that's mercy! But I do see your point...ultimate eternal judgment will not be a light slap on the wrist.
did I clarify?
gripped in grace:)
Amen... and a Romans 2:4 to that!
Rene,
great question. I agree with your qualification. God is patient toward sinners, giving them time to repent. He also showers upon them so many blessings, including the rain and the sun, friends, family, and a plethora of other graces that Christ bought for them. Oh how wonderfully merciful is our God!
To clarify what I meant in my post, I was saying that only the Church has the right to such mercies and to peace with God because She, and all who corporately compose her, can plead the blood of Christ. Unbelievers and illegitimately receiving blessings, as they are not receiving them on God's terms--through the cross. Yet God gives so much, giving generously to all, especially to believers (cf. 1 Timothy 4:10).
Why did that post my comment annonymously?
Post a Comment
<< Home