The Glory of the Cross; Part 1

We now come to the close of Paul's powerful epistle to the Galatian churches.

The closing passage carries the same weight of argument, seriousness and indignation that it did in the opening and that it carried throughout the entire letter.

With the exception of the benediction in the very last verse, Paul utilizes every last line as his parting salvo against the Judaizers whose heretical activities prompted the letter in the first place.

Out of his deep love and concern for the believers there, he refutes the Judaizers for the last time by exposing there motives and objectives; followed by what turns out to be, that which is central to all Christianity—the glory of the cross.

In this early epistle, the great apostle despenses with the usual warm parting encouragements and accolades. Instead, he leaves them with a sober reminder that his scar-torn body bears the Lord's own signature of possession and those who oppose him ought to think carefully before they cause him any more trouble.

Paul wears his stripes like a seasoned, decorated war vet in the army of the Lord.

The letter itself has proven to be a blessing to the church of Jesus Christ throughout the ages since it contains one of the strongest arguments for the Gospel of grace by faith alone, apart from all other religions, which present some form of works based salvation.

This is the difference between a religion of Divine Accomplishment and one of Human Achievement.

The first half of Paul's closing passage explains the faultiness of the religion of Human Achievement. The second half, presents the centerpiece of our faith—the glory of the cross—in the true religion of Divine Accomplishment.