What Counts?

We men are always looking for things that count. Christian or not, all of us seek for some sort of meaning, to find fulfilment in popularity, money, work, family etc. As Christians we may think that we have finally found what truly counts in the One who is the Truth, the Way and the Life, yet in Galatians the Apostle Paul thinks that many have missed the point.

Hear what he says:

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Gal 5:6) and again,
What counts is a new creation (6:15).

Paul was speaking to a group of Christians who have missed the point of the gospel. In fact, this error is so serious Paul is practically condemning them for believing in another gospel which is no gospel at all! As they rely on their own works of observing the festivals and days (4:10) and circumcision, they have effectively nullified the cross of Christ, and the work of the Spirit. Paul called them fools, to have begun with faith and the Spirit, to now turn to themselves.

As Christians we need to realize that no part of our lives can be lived independently from God. The moral person in the church might well be the most independent of God, as he strives in his own strength. The author of Hebrews writes, "Without faith it is impossible to please God". The Christian life commences, continues and concludes by faith. The Christian is to rely on God's mercy by faith, and only then is the new reality of the Spirit-filled life open to him. He is truly free.

The Galatians are a group of people who are confused about their freedom. They are free in Christ, yet enslave themselves to useless festivals and observances of the law. They are bound by the law of the Spirit to love one another, yet use their freedom to "indulge in sinful nature" (6:13) and "bite and devour each other" (Gal 5:13).

Paul provides the correction: You are now to forgo these things of no spiritual value. You are now to live life bearing the fruit of the Spirit, especially that of love. That's what he means by faith working through love. That's what it means by a new creation, a new heart. That's what counts in the end.