"He [Paul] closes his epistle with an exhortation to the faithful, and with a sharp rebuke or invective against the false apostles. Before, he cursed the false apostles. Now, he accuses them very sharply in order to turn away the Galatians from their doctrine. The teachers which you have (says he) are such as first regard not the glory of Christ and the salvation of your souls, but only seek their own glory. Secondly, they avoid the Cross. Thirdly, they understand not those things which they teach, much less do they perform them.
These false teachers, being accused of the Apostle for three such enormities, were to be avioded of all men. But yet all the Galatians obeyed not this warning of Paul." -Martin Luther
What hit me here was the Second wicked thing these false teachers were guilty of. "They avoid the Cross".
The teachings of Christ's death are being watered down today as well. The Cross is not cherished as it must be. It's been labled as "cosmic child abuse". It's being taught as an example for us to live a life of sacrifice. It's being stripped of it's richness and fullness, so that the Cross is a nice gesture of love from the Lord God.
Very sad indeed. The Cross is what life is all about for the Christian. It's what makes life precious; knowing that Jesus died for me, and became my sin, and He grants me His righteousness. 2 Cor. 5:21
"He loved me, and gave Himself for me", are Paul's most powerful words in this epsitle, for me.
And then he ends his letter with, "God forbid!, God forbid!, that I boast in anything but the Cross." When Paul says God forbid, this is a strong double negative, that's why I wrote it twice.
I pray I would be able to live this way for my Savior. Amen.
2 comments:
Don,
Of all the things we have ever held in common- this is it! And that's why you are so dear to me. Sharing a passion for the centrality of the cross- man, there's nothing better than that. I came across this quote from Piper yesterday...
"The wisdom of God has ordained a way for the love of God to deliver us from the wrath of God without compromising the justice of God."
John Piper
Its no surprise that in Luther's day, better said- Paul's day, the main thrust of the enemy's attack was focused on the cross. Without the cross, there is nothing.
Amen my bro. Keep the Piper quotes comin'.
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