https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gal+6%3A11-18&version=NIVUK

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

Galatians 6:17

The former is only valid when it points to the latter. Now that the latter, the real thing, has arrived, we evolve from fleshly to spiritual. From the working of the law to the hearing of the faith. From being born of woman to being born of God. From old creation to new creation. To the latter, the former is precious but only valid as much as a snake’s old skin. It is beautiful and fascinating, but dead.

If anyone tries to trick you with an expired document of ownership, that person should go to prison. The passage explains that the reason such a person cannot put the old and expired ways behind him is because he cannot be bothered with the new. He does not want the real trouble and fuss of being God’s true child and therefore a sibling of Jesus (v. 12).

Have you ever just counted how many hours or how many pages you’ve read instead of committing to real, focused learning? You know the latter is far more effective and valid—the real stuff—but because it is much harder and more troublesome to engage in, definitely needing some consistent practice, you detour and find consolation in having done it the easier way. After all, it is still impressive, isn’t it?

But the difference is that with ordinary learning or work, taking the less effective and less valid way still works to a certain degree. With God, the lesser is no way at all. It does not work any more. So carrying your brother’s burden like Christ carried yours cannot be replaced by perfect church attendance, intensive Bible reading, or fervent hour-long prayer.

So if you know what it is we need to take part in, then you should stop pretending as if the other way still worked and making others believe as if it did.

Yes, it is a hard and narrow way. But we have the marks of Christ. It has already been marked and given to us by someone who even changed our origins and backgrounds to be his, as he thought of us in the first place. Jesus won this for us, and it is his marks we carry. His marks enable us. Blessed be the LORD our God. 

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