Galatians 6:17

New International Version (NIV)

From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

For Meditation

The Apostle Paul was right. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:1-2). It can be difficult for believers to accept this harsh truth. Our voyage towards heaven has its course upon the turbulent seas of this world, with our sail set for the harrowing journey (Colossians 3:1-3). Those who sail these waters have settled their minds about Jesus and His only way of salvation – grace received through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9).

It is a journey of no return with no turnaround routes. When you set sail on the world’s high seas with its boisterous waves, mighty currents, and winds, you should not let down your sail and drift back to the world to wallow in the old, filthy life you once lived. There is no room for the gratification and the craving of the sinful nature and following of its desires and thoughts (v.3). With determination not to allow Satan to have dominion over the mind, emotions, and will again (v.2), the saint sets sail towards the heaven’s shores. Instead, they yield ultimately to the Lordship of the Holy Spirit.

You must accept the truth that “You are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which He prepared in advance for you to do” (v.10). You are in His grip, and you remain there until He works in you and through you to imprint the image of Jesus in you (Eph. 4:12-13). The refining fire may burn deeper and cause some pain and sorrow sometimes. However, the committed traveler remains on the altar till He perfects His gracious work in them (Romans 12:1).

So, we do not listen to those who want to mix grace with works—those who want to “pervert the gospel of Christ” with wrong teachings on salvation (Gal. 1:6-7). We do not allow those who do not understand the doctrine of grace alone for salvation to confuse us. No one can work their way to heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, we allow no false teacher to gain control over our senses and reasoning.

Those people could be your old buddies or co-workers whose teasing is getting to you. Your family’s demand to conform to some old traditional customs and rites after your profession of faith in Christ is part of the enemy’s strategy to wreck your faith. The confusion and pressure could also come from your spouse. Remember Mrs. Job (Job 2:9)? None of them died to save you, and even if they could have, their sacrifice would not be efficacious before the Father to wash away your sins. On judgment day, Christ alone will sit in the judgment seat over your life (2 Corinthians 5:10). 

I pray you will be at peace with yourself when you have done all you can to prevent those who confuse salvation for ‘a dose of grace and works’ by maintaining relevance for some aspects of their old life in their walk with Jesus. May you tell them as Paul did to the Galatians, “Let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear in my body the marks of Jesus” (Gal. 6:17).

Grace to you and Shalom.