Galatians 6:1-18

Context: After finishing his compare/contrast thoughts and presentation on the Sin Nature vs the Holy Spirit in chapter 5, Paul delves more specifically into the practical meaning of life in the Spirit of Christ before summarizing and ending his letter to the church in Galatia.

(1-5) The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian does not create immediate perfection, so Paul instructs this church just what it means to be the church: Correction requires love and grace. Pride has no place. We don’t analyze others’, but our own hearts.

(6-10) It is very important to realize that the principle that Paul grounds here is not the same thing as Karma. The life that pleases God can only be followed in the strength of the Holy Spirit, who is a gift from God through faith. Walking in the Spirit will always glorify Jesus and act in love.

Karma Is a Hindu lie which tells us that it is our good and bad deeds that determine your next reincarnated life. Asks us to focus even more closely on the law, rather than become fully dependent on God’s grace. Undermines the truth of Jesus as one who loves His enemies- all of us- and gave us so much we don’t deserve.

(11-18) Summarizing the entire letter, we are encouraged strongly to remember that only the Cross can save as good works don’t impress God and that the Holy Spirit of Jesus Himself is the only one capable of doing the deep heart work necessary to truly live in holiness.

Conclusion: Following the Holy Spirit produces a life that truly does the work of God as a servant and caretaker in the lives of others. Listening to Him leads us to obey Jesus’s commandment to love one another (John 15:9-17).