Aug 20, 2026 It’s the Fruit of the Spirit, Not of Ourselves – Words of Grace Blog – August 21, 2026
When our granddaughters come for a visit, they often get sad when it’s time to leave. All previous attempts to comfort them and reduce the drama of their departure have failed. When I started telling them that they must leave so they can return, and that going home means they will come again, it seemed to help. Even a child can get that reasoning. It seemed to help. Even a child can get that reasoning.
This Sunday at Grace Community Church, we will conclude our summer sermon series in Galatians. The only comfort I gain in leaving Galatians is that we get to return to Acts. Galatians has been a boon to our souls. Acts will be, too.
Before we leave Galatians, let’s take one more look at the gospel and its impact on our lives.
Galatians 6:14-16 says, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. As for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.”
You will have to wait until Sunday for a fuller treatment of this passage. Here, I simply want to point out that there is a “rule” for new creation living. There is a way of life that is consistent with the reality of grace that makes us new people in Christ.
We might love the fact that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. That represents a “no rules” Christianity. But let’s not forget the flip side. There is a new “rule” for new life in Christ.
In Christ we are not allowed to revert to any attempts to earn God’s favor by our human efforts. This is how the false teachers in Galatia were treating circumcision. Paul said it counts for nothing. Be it law-keeping, upholding certain traditions or customs, or building a reputation for goodness, we must not trust any of this to secure salvation or blessing from God.
In Christ we are called to receive what he has done for us on the cross as the basis for our forgiveness of sin and right standing with God. The rule of the new creation is faith in Christ alone.
In Christ we are not allowed to use our freedom from the law as an excuse to sin. That would be a colossal misunderstanding of the purpose of God’s grace in our lives and would bring judgment upon us.
In Christ we are called to use our freedom from sin to serve one another through love. New life in Christ is a dynamic of the heart that expresses itself in love for others. “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Galatians 5:14)
In Christ we are not allowed to boast in ourselves, for there is nothing in ourselves to boast about. But in Christ we are allowed, even encouraged, to boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Boast all day long. Christ has done all that is needed to save us from sin and for glory.
There are the new rules for the new life in Christ. His rules are not burdensome.
I look forward to boasting in the cross of Christ this Sunday.
-Scott