11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12-13 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.

14-15 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which (or, through whom) the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. Galatians 6:11-18 English Standard Version.

Today we reach the end of what has been an intensely personal letter from the apostle Paul to some gentiles who'd become Christians, which he wrote out of genuine concern. He started the letter by saying: “I'm astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ, and are turning to a different gospel“ And he went on to say: “You were running well - who hindered you from obeying the truth?” The reason was that Christians from a strong Jewish background were insisting that these gentile Christians needed to be circumcised to be saved. What was Paul's response to such teaching? (vs 14-15)

Salvation doesn't depend on circumcision, or how well we keep any religious rules, but is based on our union with Christ. It's the result of a new birth from God, and will be seen in our dying to the world and it's ways. What does Paul say was the underlying motive of those who were insisting that the gentile converts also needed to be circumcised? (vs 12-13)

They were not prepared to endure the cost of carrying the cross. Jesus didn’t hide the fact that following Him will be costly. He said “If anyone comes to me and doesn't hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27) The implication is that we must be prepared to forsake even our nearest and dearest if they held us back from being totally committed to Christ. But the Jewish Christians who were insisting on circumcision were trying to keep in the good books of Jews who hadn’t become Christians. They were not willing to lose popularity with people. They wanted to be praised by all. Paul stressed earlier in this letter that it is God's commendation we should strive for, not that of people. And we should not boast in any achievements of our own, but only in what Christ accomplished on the cross.

Another example of the very personal nature of this letter is seen in vs 11.

The background to that seemingly odd statement is surely what he wrote earlier. In Chapter 4: 13-15 he said to them: “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first. And though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus. What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me!”

We are not told the details of this, but we know that when Paul was converted he was struck for a while with blindness. Some suggest his eyesight may have been permanently affected, either then, or as a result of one of the times he was stoned by a hostile mob. But vs 17 in today's section shows that Paul wasn’t bitter about whatever caused him his affliction, but saw it rather as a badge of discipleship. Can that be said of us? Has following Christ been at all costly? Has there been a measure of suffering or loss along the way? Has our health even been affected, or our career? And has anything we've suffered made us bitter or better? Does remembrance of Christ's trial on the cross make us joyfully willing to bear any marks that might come our way because we follow Him?