Galatians 6:12-13

                                   approval, comfort, and trophies

                What is it the Judaizers really sought?  Was the issue truly the personal benefit of circumcision for the Galatians?  Probably not.  At the time of writing, Jewish Christians were being persecuted for departing from traditional Judaism.  Perhaps the Judaizers believed if they could just get the Galatians to go along with the Jewish tradition, they themselves would avoid persecution.

                Though Judaism is not thrusting itself upon modern American Christianity, plenty of other things are.  The circumstances may be quite different, but the fallout seems quite similar.  Do you ever act like a Judaizer?  In this letter, Paul has identified three distinctive traits of theirs--are any of these your traits too?

Desire to make a good showing - seeking the approval of men, you want other people to do the same things you are doing.  You want them to want what you have, and you want them to desire to be like you.

Aim to avoid suffering persecution because of faith in Jesus – you make your beliefs ‘culturally acceptable’, adapting and conforming your practices to the world around you.

‘Spiritual’ in name and external things, but that’s not the inner reality- instead of dealing with personal internal sin, you use the people who follow you as a defense and affirmation of your ‘right standing’.             

If you are not willing and ready to be truthful with yourself, you risk being stuck in this Judaizer mode.  Jesus says that when we know the truth—that is, when we come to it, experience it and apply it—then the truth will set us free.  This is the Truth as in Jesus, and the Truth as in the Bible, the Word of God, and the truth in our living reality.

In what ways are you tempted to seek the approval of man?

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Have you ever suffered because of your trust and faith in Jesus?

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In what ways do you tend to your external flesh appearances?

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In what ways do you tend to your inner, spiritual life?

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Is the bulk of your effort and focus on how you can rule and reign in your little world?  Is your goal approval, comfort and trophies?

Or are you seeking to have more of the rule and reign of God in your very person?

Read and Pray:  Matthew 5:13-16, Matthew 7:1-5, Philippians 2:3-8