OBTAINING PEACE AND MERCY

Galatians 6:16

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There are many people who divide the Christian religion into negatives and positives.

 

B.   Two of the "positives" are mentioned by Paul in Galatians 6:16, peace and mercy.

 

And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

 

C.   Everyone longs for peace, and everyone stands in need of mercy.

 

D.   Let's analyze this verse to see how these two things are obtained.

 

I.             AN ACTION: "And as many as walk..."

 

A.   Paul begins with an action, "walk."

 

B.   In the United States we do not walk the way they walked in the first century.

1.    They did not have cars, public transportation, and Uber rides.

2.    If those individuals were going to get from place to place, they had to walk.

3.    Most of their lives involve walking.

4.    Thus, the word “walk” came to stand the entirety of a person’s life.

a.    “…even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

b.    “For we walk by faith…” (2 Cor. 5:7).

c.    “But if we walk in the light…” (1 John1:7).

 

C.   Many want God's blessings without having to do anything.

1.    They want to be forgiven, but they do not want to live faithfully.

2.    They want the prestige, but they do not want the pain.

3.    They want the expectation of heaven, but they do not effort of hard work.

4.    They want the rewards, but they do not want the responsibilities.

 

D.   However, God's blessing are obtained only by walking properly.

 

II.           AN AUTHORITY: "...according to this rule..."

 

A.   Man is not free to walk any way he desires.

1.    God does not want us to walk, that is, live our lives by our feelings.

2.    God does not want us to walk by our opinions.

3.    God does not want us to walk by our lust.

4.    God does not want us to walk by majority rule.

5.    God does not want us to walk by the dictates of human councils or synods.

6.    God does not want us to walk by the smooth words of popular evangelists.

 

B.   Man is to walk by "this rule."

1.    Rule

a.    Definition:

1)    Strong (2583): 

a)    A straight reed or rod        These were measuring devices in Bible times.

b)    When the word was applied religiously, it referred to “a rule, ‘a canon,’ a standard of faith and practice.

2)    Thayer:  a rule or standard, a principle or law of living and acting

b.    The rule Paul references in the book of Galatians is the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

1)    In this book, he is confronting the Judaizing teachers who were trying to bind the Law of Moses upon Christian, particularly the Gentile Christians.

2)    The Old Law had been nailed to the cross of Christ.  The blood of

Jesus ratified the New Covenant as the rule men are to live by today.

3)    Look at Galatians 6:15.

 

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 

a)    In Judaism, circumcision was absolutely essential (Gen. 17:14).

b)    Now, Paul says that neither circumcision or uncircumcision avails anything.  For Paul to be able to say that, something had to have changed in the legal system of God.

c)    What mattered now, we being a “new creature.” 

-      A person could not be a new creature under Judaism. 

-      The only system that makes one a new creature is Christianity.

 

C.   In order to be blessed by God, man must walk in harmony with the rule God has provided. Now, this is the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

1.    Walk in the light (1 John 1:7)

2.    Walk after his commandments (2 John6)

3.    Walk in truth (3 John 4)

 

D.   Paul informs us of the results of applying the Scripture to our lives in 2 Timothy 3:17.

 

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 

III.         THE AWARDS: "...peace be upon them, and mercy..."

 

A.   Again, peace and mercy are two blessings all desire.

 

B.   Peace:

1.    Definition:

a.    Tranquility, harmony, concord, security, prosperity

b.    The tranquil state of the soul assured of salvation

2.    We live in a world of unrest, volatility, and turmoil.

a.    The world:  war

b.    The nation:  politics, culture, economics

c.    The community:  crime, bullying, shootings

d.    The family:  divorce, parent-child conflicts

e.    The individual:  work, finances, health, mental struggles

3.    Following God’s will can decrease the struggles and conflicts in all of these areas.

a.    Some will argue:  There will never be absolute peace in these areas because others will not follow God’s will even though we do.

b.    Answer:  Part of adhering to the rule of God involves prayer.

1)    It is in prayer that we place everything into the hands of God.

2)    We leave His throne in peace within (Phil. 4:6-7).

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

C.   Mercy:

1.    Definition:  kindness and goodwill toward the miserable

2.    Mercy can involve both the physical man and the spiritual man.

a.    Physical (Ex., the good Samaritan, Luke 10:36-37)

 

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him…

 

b.    Spiritual (Ex., Paul, 1 Tim. 1:13).

 

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:  but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

3.    There are times in our lives when we stand in need of one or the other, that is physical mercy or spiritual mercy.  God can grant both.

 

D.   NOTE: These blessings are not given by God unconditionally.  Individuals must walk by God's rule to receive them.

 

IV.         AN AUTONYM: "...and upon the Israel of God."

 

A.   An autonym is the name used by an ethnic group.

 

B.   Paul wishes peace and mercy upon "the Israel of God."

 

C.   When most hear the name "Israel," they think of the Jews.

 

D.   However, the true Israel of God today is the church.

1.    Romans 2:28-29

 

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

 

2.    Romans 9:6b-8

 

...For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

 

E.   The church, spiritual Israel, is the group that is walking according to God's rule today. Those who are members of the Lord's church are the ones who receive the blessings of God such as peace and mercy.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   As is always the case, one verse in the Bible has tons of information and many lessons for us.

 

B.   Do you long for peace and mercy?

1.    Walk according to God's rule found in the law of Christ.

2.    Make certain that you are part of the Israel of God today.